Jammu, February 4:
RS Pura Basmati of Jammu and Kashmir is famous all over the world for its aroma and taste, but the Akhnoor region, which produces Basmati of the same quality, is facing an identity crisis. It is neither getting its GI tag nor the attention of government officials like the farmers of RS Pura.
As a result, farmers are now forced to build commercial buildings on their farms in apathy. Apart from this, stray animals coming from Chenab border are also becoming enemies of Basmati farmers. Instead of controlling them, the departments related to them blame each other for the responsibility.
The fragrance of rice grown here has spread till Punjab. Basmati is cultivated on about 1000 hectares of land in this area.
The best varieties of Basmati 370, 6444, Pusa 1718, 1121 and 1618 are produced here. Despite this, due to the indifference of the system, farmers are neither getting a fair price nor a way to export.
There are centres for purchasing coarse rice, but not for Basmati. Apart from this, the cost of irrigation is increasing due to non-availability of water from canals and canals originating from Chenab on time. Lift irrigation systems installed decades ago have collapsed due to lack of maintenance.
The stray animals coming in herds from the border of Chenab river at night. They have made the farmers lose sleep. They destroy the crops wherever they enter. Bazmati plants are their favourite food. When farmers complain, the wildlife department has held the flood department responsible for control. The flood department has held the irrigation department responsible. If there is fencing on the banks of Chenab, then there will be relief from these animals.
