India Expanding Basmati Rice Definition

NEW DELHI - Sep 5/07 - SNS -- The Indian government plans to expand the definition of basmati rice by removing the "bar of having one of the two parents from among the traditional basmati varieties".

Instead, it expands the definition by including in the family history (genealogy), a Basmati variety (Traditional or evolved) notified under Seed Act 1966, to pass the 'basmati quality seeds' into the new evolved varieties.

"Thus, it seeks to declare all varieties of Basmati Rice notified as Basmati Rice under the Seeds Act, 1966 (54 of 1966) and any future variety notified as Basmati under the same Act are construed as Basmati Rice," India's government said in written statement by Shri Kanti Lal Bhuria, Minister of State for Agriculture.

"The proposed revised definition will facilitate the development of new Basmati varieties and will promote the trade. This proposal has been sent to the Ministry of commerce for consideration."