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India-Pakistan battle: Who is the real king of Basmati rice?
Across the vast expanse of the Indian subcontinent, an elegant grain of rice is both a staple of local cuisine and the focus of an ongoing feud between two nations: Basmati rice. Basmati is a long-grain, fragrant rice that is traditionally grown primarily in India and parts of Pakistan. According to 2019 data, India accounts for 65% of the global trade in basmati rice, while Pakistan accounts for 35%. As people around the world demand this variety of rice, the battle for it is becoming increasingly fierce.
History and Etymology
The word Basmati comes from the Hindi word for 'fragrant' and its earliest mention in Hindi poetry can be traced back to the literary work 'Hir Rangjah' in 1766.
Production and farming
Currently, India accounts for more than 70% of the world's basmati rice production, a small portion of which is organically grown. Organizations such as the Kheti Virasat Mission are working to increase production of organic basmati rice in the Punjab region of India.
In India
The basmati rice producing areas in India include Uttarakhand, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana and some other states. India’s Agricultural Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) reported that India’s basmati rice exports reached $3.4 billion between 2015 and 2016, mainly to Saudi Arabia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
In Pakistan
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the origin of Pakistan is the Kalal bowl region, and almost all Basmati rice is grown in the Punjab province. In fiscal year 2020, Pakistan's basmati exports reached 890,207 tons, valued at US$790 million.
Aroma and Taste
The unique aroma of Basmati rice comes from 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, an aromatic compound naturally present in the human body.
Basmati rice's aroma and flavor make it a culinary treasure, and its cooking properties also make it more popular.
Various varieties and hybrids
Basmati rice comes in several varieties, the traditional Indian types include Basmati 370, 385, and Punjabi Super Basmati. Pakistani varieties include Basmati 370 and Super Basmati. Using conventional plant breeding techniques, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has successfully developed Pusa Basmati-1, a hybrid semi-dwarf grass plant that can produce twice the yield of traditional varieties.
Issues of Basmati certification and trade
In 2016, India's Basmati rice was registered as a Geographical Indication (GI) product, further enhancing its status in the international market. However, as market demand increases, the problem of adulteration of basmati rice is becoming increasingly serious. Britain's Food Standards Agency found in 2005 that about half of basmati rice was adulterated with other long-grain rices, prompting local importers to take action.
As the demand for Basmati rice increases, maintaining its quality and brand traceability becomes a major challenge.
Patent War Controversy
In 1997, the American company RiceTec obtained a patent for Basmati rice, which triggered a strong backlash from the international community and even caused a diplomatic crisis between India and the United States. Although RiceTec gradually lost many of its rights to its patents in subsequent legal reviews, the incident undoubtedly had a profound impact on the global market for basmati rice.
Conclusion
Looking back at the global Basmati rice market today, both India's dominant position and Pakistan's traditional cultivation techniques have made the battle for rice a hot topic and discussion. In the future, can Basmati rice find a more reasonable position in the global market through laws, trade and quality management?
