KARACHI, Sept 20: Sindh-Balochistan Millers and Traders Association (SBMTA) has called for a three day token strike, starting from Wednesday due to refusal by exporters in lifting 100,000 tons of Sugdasi rice. On the other hand, Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has some reservations over the existence of Sugdasi rice.

SBTMA claims that Sugdasi rice worth Rs200 crore is lying in the godowns of rice mills in Sindh and Balochistan, waiting for disposal. The association asks the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) to intervene in this matter and takes step for its export.

"If the matter is not resolved during the striking days, we will chalk out our future strategy," president SBRMTA, Gada Hussain Mahessar said. He said that the TCP, on SBRMTA request, had floated a tender earlier this month for export of 25,000 tons of Sugdasi to Sri Lanka in original form and title but it was cancelled due to hue and cry of Punjab exporters requesting Commerce Ministry to cancel the tender.

Does Sugdasi (means aromatic) really exist in Sindh? Is it really an approved variety or it is being exported by changing various names by the exporters? These are some of the questions that need proper answers from the stakeholders.

Commerce Ministry and Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (MINFAL) have received objections from various business circles against the cultivation and export of different rice varieties of Sindh.

It was brought to the notice of the government that some new unapproved rice varieties are being cultivated in Sindh and due to absence of any systematic procedure, these varieties have failed to obtain proper titles and category. They think that tremendous amount of confusion in the export of basmati and aromatic rice prevails.

SBMTA chief said that every thing is on record that all the present rice varieties, being cultivated in Sindh and Balochistan, are approved varieties and recognized by the MINFAL.

He said Sugdasi was being cultivated from more than a century in Sindh. It is a late sowing variety and can be cultivated in July to mid of September. Due to shortage of irrigation water and late supply of water in Sindh it begins to be cultivated on more area.

He claimed that a major portion of Sugdasi rice variety is being purchased by exporters to mix it with basmati rice for export purpose. He also claimed to have in possession the documentary proof of purchase by Punjab rice exporters this year and the rate remained Rs18,000-20,000 per ton in different markets of Sindh in January and February 2004.

In 2002-2003, the rate of Sugdasi paddy remained Rs450-480 per 40 kg, near the rate of super basmati paddy. In 2003-2004, a total of 250,000-300,000 tons of Sugdasi was produced out of which 100,000 tons is awaiting lifting by the exporters or the TCP.

He questions the Punjab exporters and REAP that what is the use of purchased stocks of this variety and with which brand name and stocks it had been exported. Who is damaging the quality of heritage basmati, exporters or rice growers and Sindh millers?

Hussain said that it has been proved that Sugdasi rice has same characteristics of basmati rice. In fact fabricated names given to it such as D-98 and rosy basmati, etc., are creation of exporters themselves. Exporters have been trying to export this with these titles to Iran and other countries.

SBMTA has pointed out these issues to the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and other relevant ministries, seeking help in disposing of the rice stocks as it will open the doors for procurement of new rice crop ahead.

Unapproved varieties like Basmati 386, super fine are being cultivated on about 40 per cent area of Punjab, which are declared totally banned varieties by the MINFAL, he added.

For the last three years, basmati rice varieties like super basmati, basmati 2000, basmati 385, basmati PK-198 have been introduced to cultivate as late crop in different parts of Sindh.

He said that Rice Commissioner MINFAL, Inayatullah Khan had also written in his survey report in 2003 that 40 per cent crop in Sindh were under the cultivation of aromatic rice varieties due to shortage and late supply of irrigation water.

Secretary SBMTA, Mir Mohammad said that 100,000 tons of Sugdasi cannot be sold in the local market as it is costlier than Irri varieties, selling at Rs 12-13 per kg. Sugdasi costs Rs23-24 per kg which the poor citizens of the Sindh cannot afford.

Vice Chairman REAP, Mohamamd Anwar Mian Noor challenged the existence of Sugdasi as an approved variety. He said some well-off people in Sindh are cultivating this variety in their areas but is not an officially approved variety.

He said some people in Sindh millers are trying to open a Pandora box and creating a controversy over Sugdasi, which has no seeds. He said that the TCP had actually called the export tender for Sri Lanka for the approved variety called PK198 or D98 which is a 100 per cent basmati. He said this variety is also being exported to Iran and Dubai.