BASMATI rice is a long, slender grain aromatic variety of rice traditionally grown in Pakistan and India. The two countries are the exclusive grower and exporter of this superior quality of rice.

Because of its aroma and well-favoured taste, it is not only liked in Pakistan and India, there is a growing demand for basmati rice in Aghanistan, Iran, the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries. Pakistanis and Indians living in Europe and America use basmati rice as their choice food.

Owing to incentives and support of the government, India controls over 70pc of the overseas market, while Pakistan accounts for the remaining 30pc.

For the last two years there has been a considerable decrease in the export of basmati rice from Pakistan while India, being the only competitor, has fully exploited our failure and increased its export of basmati rice in the world market.

Basmati rice is largely grown in Gujranwala and Lahore where agricultural holdings of farmers are small and there are no big landlords or feudals who may raise their voice in parliament or influence the government policy.

The small rice farmer is merely promised a small amount of Rs5000, which only a few of them are able to procure. Why can’t the government also grant a subsidy of Rs13,000 a ton it has announced for the export of sugar? The minister for commerce belongs to Gujranwala. He must look after the interests and be fair to the people of his area.

Maj (r) Mumtaz Bashir

Lahore

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2015