Panicked basmati exporters hold crash course for farmers

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, October 17

After the rejection of several basmati consignments in the international market, the rice exporters of northern region have launched a campaign to educate farmers of Haryana, Punjab and J&K about the judicious use of pesticides.

India’s basmati exports have been hit after the European Union changed the maximum residue limit (MRL) for the use of tricylazole to 0.01 parts per million (ppm) from 1 ppm. Tricylazole is a chemical that treats neck blast in paddy.

“Our focus is to reduce the unnecessary use of pesticides and disease-free production,” said Vijay Setia, president, All India Rice Exporters’ Association (AIREA). The northern region, particularly Haryana and Punjab, accounts for two-thirds of rice exports from the country.

With the help of the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority and the Commerce Ministry, over 200 seminars have already been organised by the AIREA in Haryana, Punjab, UP and J&K, he said.

India exports around 4 million tonnes of basmati to around 130 countries. 

Around eight years ago, the US had also raised the issue of tricyclazole and made the MRL limit for the pesticide to 0.01 ppm. Later, diplomatic efforts persuaded America to revise the MRL limit to 3 ppm, he said. Japan, too, has an MRL level of 10 ppm for tricyclazole. “When it is fit for Japan and America, then why not for the EU,” he added.

“We want prescription from the pesticide manufacturers about the uses of pesticide for different diseases. The government should not allow sale of pesticide without prescription of experts,” he said. The PAU and HAU have recommended only 8-9 pesticides, but the market is selling around 200 pesticides, resulting in confusion for the farmers, he added.

“We have been providing technical assistance to the exporters to educate farmers, arhtiyas, technical experts and  extension workers. The farmers who have not used restricted pesticides like tricyclazole will get a better price as the exporters are keen to purchase it,” said Dr Ritesh Sharma, principal scientist of Basmati Export Development Foundation.

Exporters also want a uniform MRL across the world. “We want the government to raise this issue to save the Indian basmati industry,” said Punjab-based exporter Rajnish Ohri.

Exports take a hit

• After European Union revised pesticide limit
• Maximum residue limit for tricylazole use is 0.01 ppm
• So far, 3 lakh tonnes of basmati has been affected

Exporters’ action points

• Educate farmers on pesticide usage
• Seek prescription sale of chemicals
• Demand uniform MRL for basmati