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India is the largest exporter of Basmati rice in the world. It exports about 80 percent of its produce. India has exported approximately 4.6 million tonnes of Basmati rice in the year 2022-23. The arrival of Basmati rice has started in the markets of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab. But, this time farmers are getting lower price of Basmati rice as compared to last year. Farmers say that they are incurring huge losses in the sale of Basmati rice this year. If farmers are to be believed, this time they are getting Rs 400 to Rs 500 less per quintal. Also, farmers allege that due to the central government setting the minimum export price of Basmati rice at Rupees 1,200 per tonne, they are suffering huge losses.

India is the largest basmati exporter in the world

India is the world's largest exporter of Basmati rice. It exports 80 percent of its production of basmati rice. In such a situation, its price keeps rising and falling due to exports. If the minimum export price of Basmati rice exceeds $ 850 per tonne, then in such a situation traders will suffer huge losses. Farmers will also have to suffer huge losses due to this. Because traders will buy Basmati rice from farmers at lower prices. Meanwhile, there is news that the prices of new crop 1509 variety of Basmati rice have fallen significantly. Last week, a decrease of Rs 400 per quintal was recorded in its price.

Also read: 20% fees on export of non-basmati crops

Farmers are facing losses

Farmers Welfare Club President Vijay Kapoor has said that millers and exporters are not giving the right price to the farmers. He is putting a lot of pressure on the farmers to buy Basmati at a lower price. According to him, if the government withdraws the minimum export price after October 15, then farmers will get very good profits. He has said that traders of Punjab are purchasing 1509 Basmati rice from Haryana at lower prices. Due to this, farmers are facing huge losses.

Farmers will suffer a loss of Rs 1,000 crore

Basmati rice is cultivated in a total area of ​​1.7 million hectares in Haryana. Of this, about 40 percent share is of 1509 variety. According to Vijay Setia, former president of All India Rice Exporters Association, if Basmati prices continue to rise like this, farmers will suffer a total loss of Rs 1,000 crore.

Let us tell you that due to rapid urbanization, Doon Basmati rice is becoming extinct. According to reports, its cultivation has decreased significantly in the last few years. Doon Basmati, a rice variety known for its rich aroma and distinct taste is disappearing rapidly. According to the recent report of Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board, the area under cultivation of Doon Basmati rice has decreased by 62% percent in the last five years.

According to the report, Doon Basmati rice was being produced in an area of ​​410 hectares in 2018, whereas in 2022 this figure has reduced to just 157 hectares. Not only this, due to the shrinking area of ​​farming, farmers have also started withdrawing their hands. In 2018, 680 farmers were producing Doon Basmati rice. In five years, 163 farmers have stopped cultivating Basmati rice.

What is the aroma and taste of Doon Basmati rice?

Due to its specific agro-climatic conditions, this rice has endemic importance for the Doon Valley. Furthermore, this species of rice grows only in running water. This is a “very delicate” variety of rice. It is a completely organically produced grain, its aroma and taste is lost if chemical fertilizers or pesticides are used.

 Also read: New variety of rice prepared, once sown, crop can be harvested for 8 years

Doon Basmati, apart from being a rare variety of rice, is an important part of the rich heritage of Dehradun. Doon Basmati was developed by rice growers in the Doon Valley. Doon Basmati rice was once grown over a large area, which has now developed into a vast urban area. Now the cultivation of Doon Basmati rice is limited to only a few areas that can be counted on fingers. 

This variety is becoming extinct very rapidly

Specific varieties of rice are becoming extinct rapidly due to many reasons such as decreasing agricultural land due to rapid urbanization. Reasons like lack of marketing facilities and lack of subsidy have brought Doon Basmati rice to the verge of extinction. Various other varieties of Basmati rice are being sold in the name of Doon Basmati. There is a need for the government to take important steps for the conservation and promotion of Doon Basmati.

India is a country that exports rice on a large scale. Many countries including Canada and America had raised questions regarding the decision to curb exports. India has said to the World Trade Organization (WTO) that the ban on the export of rice should not be considered as a ban. It's just a regulation. This was an important step to ensure the food security of India's 1.4 billion people. India on July 20 banned exports of non-Basmati white rice amid the Ukraine-Russia crisis, in a move to boost domestic supplies and control retail prices. Many countries including Canada and America had raised questions on this decision of India.

The Indian government took the decision keeping food security in mind

During the World Trade Organization committee meeting held in Geneva, India said that this decision has been taken keeping food security in mind. India has said that keeping in view the global circumstances, no advance information was given to WTO regarding this decision to ban the majors from manipulating the market conditions. There was a possibility that if the information related to this was given earlier, then big suppliers could have manipulated it by storing it. These measures are temporary and are regularly reviewed based on domestic demand and supply conditions. 

Also read: Stir in America Due to Ban on Export of Non-Basmati Rice by the Central Government

India's approval for exports to needy countries

It has also been said from the Indian side that despite the ban, India has already permitted exports to needy countries. Non-Basmati rice has been exported through NCEL to Bhutan (79,000 tonnes), UAE (75,000 tonnes), Mauritius (14,000 tonnes) and Singapore (50,000 tonnes).

These countries raised questions regarding the ban on rice export by India

For your information, let us tell you that India is the largest rice exporter in the world with more than 40 percent of global exports. Brazil, the European Union, New Zealand, Switzerland, Thailand, Britain, America, Canada, Japan, and Australia had raised many questions regarding the decision to ban India's exports. It was said on behalf of these countries that this has an impact on countries that are heavily dependent on imports of agricultural commodities.

In the global markets, there are no such decline in the price of rice in today's date. The World Bank has released its report in a short time. According to the World Bank's Global Commodity Outlook, there is no possibility of any significant decrease in the global prices of rice before 2025. The main reason for the increase in rice prices is the continuing risk of Alnino. Along with this, policy decisions of major exporters and importers of the world are also due to the contraction of rice yield and export market.

Possibility of low rice yield in this kharif season

According to a recent report by the World Bank, the price of rice inside the global market in 2023 is 28 percent more than in 2022. There is a possibility of 6 percent more inflation in rice prices in the global market by 2024. Due to this, concern has increased due to the possibility of increasing rice prices in India. Because in the month of August, due to low rainfall, there is a lot of possibility of less rice yield in this kharif season inside the domestic market in 2023.

Also read: Take care of paddy crop like this in the kharif season, it will be good profits

Government of India has stopped exporting rice

Rice exports from the country have already been banned from the Government of India. As we all know, some species of rice in India have 20 percent export duty. Also, the minimum export price on basmati rice is applicable. This commendable step of the Central government has recorded a decline in supply of rice in the global market up to 40 percent. In fact, under this report, it has been said that due to adequate supply, the prices of agricultural commodities are expected to decline by about 7 percent in 2023. Also, in 2024-25, the prices of agricultural commodities may fall further by 2 percent.

For your information, let us tell you that physical factors play a very important role in deciding the type of crops that can be produced without any problem in a particular terrain or area. In this article of Meri Kheti, we will make you aware of some important physical and social factors. 

Climate form: Climate is one of the most important physical factors. Various crops require specific temperature limits, rainfall patterns and sunlight levels. For example, rice thrives in areas with abundant rainfall and warm temperatures, while wheat prefers cold and dry conditions. 

Soil quality: Soil composition, fertility and pH affect crop growth to a great extent. For example, some crops, such as potatoes thrive in acidic soil with proper drainage. At the same time, the rest of the crops such as soybean flourishing are mainly alkaline soils.

Also read: Know what are the ecology and its major components?

Land structure: The risk of landscape, drainage and sunlight, including the height of the land are some factors that greatly affect the risk of landscape. The mountainous regions can be quite favourable for grape gardens. At the same time, flat fields are suitable for wheat fields on a large scale. 

Natural disasters: Natural problems for crop growth such as drought, storm, flood and tsunami are sensitive conditions. All these natural disasters can compress crop yield or bind in a range. Flexibility is quite important for these disasters for sustainable agriculture

What are social environmental factors

Some of the important activities that have a direct effect on crop production. All such factors have been shambled under the social environment.

Also read: This bio -fertiliser manufactured by IFFCO company can increase both crop quality and yield.

Economic factors affecting crop yields

Economic conditions in the agriculture sector are especially affected. Farmers need access to financial resources to buy equipment, technology and seeds. Market dynamics and pricing structures also play a role in ensuring which crops are financially correct.

For your information, let us tell you that physical factors play a very important role in deciding the type of crops that can be produced without any problem in a particular terrain or area. In this article of Meri Kheti, we will make you aware of some important physical and social factors. 

Climate form: Climate is one of the most important physical factors. Various crops require specific temperature limits, rainfall patterns and sunlight levels. For example, rice thrives in areas with abundant rainfall and warm temperatures, while wheat prefers cold and dry conditions. 

Soil quality: Soil composition, fertility and pH affect crop growth to a great extent. For example, some crops, such as potatoes thrive in acidic soil with proper drainage. At the same time, the rest of the crops such as soybean flourishing are mainly alkaline soils.

Also read: Know what are the ecology and its major components?

Land structure: The risk of landscape, drainage and sunlight, including the height of the land are some factors that greatly affect the risk of landscape. The mountainous regions can be quite favourable for grape gardens. At the same time, flat fields are suitable for wheat fields on a large scale. 

Natural disasters: Natural problems for crop growth such as drought, storm, flood and tsunami are sensitive conditions. All these natural disasters can compress crop yield or bind in a range. Flexibility is quite important for these disasters for sustainable agriculture

What are social environmental factors

Some of the important activities that have a direct effect on crop production. All such factors have been shambled under the social environment.

Also read: This bio -fertiliser manufactured by IFFCO company can increase both crop quality and yield.

Economic factors affecting crop yields

Economic conditions in the agriculture sector are especially affected. Farmers need access to financial resources to buy equipment, technology and seeds. Market dynamics and pricing structures also play a role in ensuring which crops are financially correct.

Cultural practices affecting crop yields

Cultural priorities and traditions have a direct impact on the popularity of the crop. For example, rice cultivation is more prevalent in areas with a strong tradition of rice consumption. Cultural factors also affect farming methods and crop cycle practices.

Government policies affecting crop yields

If we talk about government policies, tariffs, grants and business agreements can encourage or discourage specific crops. These policies can have a profound impact on the profitability of major crops cultivation.

Causation

Availability of a spectacular workforce is extremely important for crop yields. The imperative of a very proper work force is ensured for labour -oriented crops like tea or coffee. At the same time, minimum labour resources may be required for mechanised crops.

Cultural practices affecting crop yields

Cultural priorities and traditions have a direct impact on the popularity of the crop. For example, rice cultivation is more prevalent in areas with a strong tradition of rice consumption. Cultural factors also affect farming methods and crop cycle practices.

Government policies affecting crop yields

If we talk about government policies, tariffs, grants and business agreements can encourage or discourage specific crops. These policies can have a profound impact on the profitability of major crops cultivation.

Causation

Availability of a spectacular workforce is extremely important for crop yields. The imperative of a very proper work force is ensured for labour -oriented crops like tea or coffee. At the same time, minimum labour resources may be required for mechanised crops.

It is the responsibility of the government to keep the prices of wheat and flour under control. Now as we all know, the increase in food prices is being seen. For this, the government has sold 3.46 lakh tonnes of wheat and 13,164 tonnes of rice in the open market to reduce prices. However, it is planned to launch 5 lakh tonnes and food grains in the market, so that prices can be kept under control. Increasing inflation of food items has increased the concern of the government. To maintain adequate availability in the market, the government has launched about 4 lakh tonnes of wheat and rice in the open market. At the same time, preparations are currently going on to take 5 lakh tonnes of grains and unload them. It is being said that by the second week of January, these food grains will be launched in the open market.

FCI is providing food grains to these wholesalers 

The central government is providing food grains procurement and distribution nodal agency in the open market through the Food Corporation of India (FCI). Under efforts to control retail prices, wholesale consumers have sold 3.46 lakh tonnes of wheat and 13,164 tonnes of rice this week through e-auction. Last year, rice sales were 3,300 MT.

Also read: Government took steps to prevent boom in pulses prices

At how much rice has been sold sold

In the 26th e-auction, 4 lakh tonnes of wheat and 1.93 lakh tonnes of rice were sold to wholesalers, after which 3.46 lakh tonnes of wheat and 13,164 tonnes of rice were sold to wholesalers . The average price of wheat has been fixed at Rs 2,178.24 per quintal. At the same time, rice was sold at an average price of Rs 2905.40 per quintal.

What is being done by the government for food safety?

The central government is selling wheat and rice from its buffer stock to control retail prices under the Open Market Sales Scheme (OMSS). The government has allocated 101.5 lakh tonnes of wheat for sale under the OMSS by March 2024. The central government has said that the government will continue the weekly e-auction of both wheat and rice to curb retail prices of rice, wheat and flour. Under this, there is now a plan to launch about 5 lakh tonnes of wheat and rice in the open market by the second week of January 2024.

The cost of paddy has significantly increased, with it being sold in many mandis across India at the rate of Rs 7 thousand per quintal, which is three times more than the minimum support price. The price of all the mandis in India can be found, and paddy arrival continues in mandis across the country. In the middle of this, paddy prices have increased again due to continuous demand in the international market. The news is that in many mandis, paddy is being sold at three times the minimum support price which is great news for the farmers but has resulted in inflation for the general public.