India: Government Considering Basmati Status For Pusa 1121 Variety

The Indian government is likely to notify Pusa 1121 rice variety, which is the world's longest grain, as basmati, as a ban on shipment of non-basmati rice prevents its sale abroad.

According to media reports, both the commerce ministry as well as Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) have consented to the proposal of declaring Pusa 1121 as basmati rice variety.

However, as per the current definition of basmati, any hybrid variety to be called as basmati should have genes from at least one traditional variety. The Pusa 1121 does not qualify under this provision, as it has no immediate direct linkage with traditional varieties.