60,000 hectare area in Jammu division under basmati cultivation

JAMMU, SEPT 1: Director Agriculture Production & farmers’ welfare, Jammu K. K. Sharma chaired a meeting with Supple Tec Rice Private LTD to discuss setting up of 6MTPH capacity Basmati Rice Processing Unit by Supple Tec Rice Private LTD in Jammu to boost the export of organically produced Basmati from UT.

The team from Supple Tec Rice Private LTD comprising its CEO, Jai Kumar Gupta, Plant Head, STIPL Amritsar, Amit Sharma, CA, STIPL, Nipun Dhingra attended the meeting. Subject Matter Specialist-II, Vikas Padha was also present.

The Director AP & FW revealed that about 60000 hectare area of Jammu division is under basmati cultivation and more than 50000 Basmati growers are already registered on basmati net portal developed by APEDA. As such there is vast potential of Basmati rice export from JK UT. He assured the stakeholders of full support by the Department of Agriculture Jammu in respect to Registration of basmati Growers and identification of Potential Basmati Growing areas.

The Director further expressed hope that this endeavour, after accomplishment, will go a long way in fully exploiting the Basmati Rice Export Potential of Jammu Division. This will also facilitate the realization of remunerative prices for organically produced Basmati by the farmers of Jammu Region.

During the meeting, the participants deliberated on various issues envisaging further strengthening of Basmati export scenario in Jammu and Kashmir.

It is pertinent to mention here that the J & K government has already constituted an Apex level and District level Export Promotion Committees to boost exports from the UT under the aegis of Department of Industries and Commerce.