Delhi (Commoditiescontrol) - Basmati growers of the country must be ensured to get reasonable prices of their produce, as per the Punjab Basmati Rice Mill Association (PBRMA). The association has come forward to protect the basmati industry hit by low prices of basmati rice. In a meeting held at Moga, the newly elected dignitaries of the association proclaimed their resolution to lessen basmati growers woes and save the industry as well.
“The farmers will receive benefit only when the domestic exporters get better prices of basmati rice in the overseas market,” said Ashish Kathuria, spokesman, PBRMA.
Low Basmati Prices Hit Farmers
Basmati growers of the country have suffered this year due to low prices of rice in the domestic market and they may shift from basmati cultivation if situation doesn’t improve, consequently, the industry will suffer, said Kathuria.
“It is essential to ensure the farmers to get better price of their crops and this may be possible only when local exporters get appropriate prices from overseas sale, he added.
Newly elected PBRMA President Ashok Grover is all set to reduce the adversities of basmati growers in the country. He said, the association is going to organise ‘Africa Rice Expo’ in Nigeria in which more than 25 participants across the world will grace their presence. Visitors in the expo may place their orders for basmati which will be directly delivered by the millers of the state and the industry as well as farmers will get benefit from the exports, added Grover.
Middle-East Demand Likely In August
According to Grover, “PBRMA has been constantly making its efforts to accelerate basmati exports and overseas orders for the commodities are expected in the second week of August which will lift prices of basmati in the market.”
Basmati trading hit when arrivals rose unexpectedly during the months of April and May which pressured its prices, said Bharat Bhushan, Vice President, PBRMA. Traders and millers also suffered a lot due to bearish trend in basmati market, however, correction in prices later helped them to reduce their losses, he added.
Finance Secretary, PBRMA, Naresh Goyal suggested farmers not to harvest basmati immaturely and bring in the market before November 15 as it will help in reducing moisture in crop and fully ripen crop will help in maintaining its quality. He said, millers of Punjab will buy better quality of basmati rice at Rs. 3,000/100 kg. Millers associated with PBRMA will not begin buying before November 15, he added.
Millers from Haryana and Rajasthan also took part in the meeting of the association held in Moga. Ashok Grover from Jalalabad was elected as the President and Bharat Bhushan Bitta from Muktsar was chosen as Vice President of PBRMA unanimously. Naresh Goyal Moga and Ashish Kathuria from Malout and Ashok Agarwal from Banud were elected for the posts of Finance Secretary, Spokesman and Chief of coordination and legal cell.
(By Commoditiescontrol Bureau; +91-22-40015533)