By Najeeb-Ul-Rehman Sofi, Tasneem Mubarak and Aabid H. Lone
Rice is a staple food for the people of Jammu & Kashmir, particularly those living in the Kashmir Valley. A lot of progress has been made in the improvement of rice crop production since the establishment of a full-fledged rice research center, now known as Mountain Research Center for Field Crops, SKUAST-Kashmir. The contribution made by the center in terms of the development of rice varieties and related packages of practices is immense, and that is why more than 80% of the area under rice in the valley is covered under the varieties released from this center. The center has developed the very popular Shalimar series of rice varieties for different ecologies, which brought a paradigm shift in rice productivity and overall production. It is because of these high-yielding varieties that despite the shrinking area under rice, production has improved over the years. The latest high-yielding variety for the plains of the valley, namely Shalimar Rice-4, for instance, possesses a yield potential of more than 10t/ha. This indicates that the center has almost achieved the biological limits in terms of the grain yield potential in the existing high-yielding varieties.
The center achieved another significant milestone with the development of Kashmir’s first fine-grain aromatic rice variety, Kashir Basmat (Shalimar Sugandh-1). This achievement is built upon a glorious track record of success in rice research, with the development of 17 varieties tailored to the varied ecologies of the region, making a substantial contribution to the food security of Jammu and Kashmir. The newly introduced variety, Kashir Basmat, has a yield potential of 7-8 t/ha, comparable to high-yielding non-aromatic rice varieties in the valley plains. Notably, it matures at a similar time as Shalimar Rice-4, addressing concerns related to late maturity and enabling integration into existing rice-based cropping systems.
The rice possesses a kernel length of 8mm, with a length-to-breadth ratio (l/b) of 3.8, and exhibits kernel length after cooking (KLAC) up to 12.5 mm, accompanied by a kernel elongation ratio (KER) of 1.5. Moreover, Kashir Basmat has a milling and Head Rice Recovery (HRR) of 70% and 55%, respectively, with an amylose content of 24%, delivering a high and appealing aroma. Importantly, the variety exhibits resistance to various biotic stresses, including the infamous blast disease. The economic viability is also very high with a benefit-cost ratio of 3, outperforming traditional rice varieties.
Additionally, the straw derived from Kashir Basmat possesses significant economic value, alleviating apprehensions associated with crop residue disposal, which otherwise is a big issue in our neighboring state Punjab. The high demand for this cattle fodder is attributed to its exceptional palatability. The positive response from farmers and their demand for this rice variety, combined with ongoing technology dissemination initiatives, underscore its huge potential to increase farmers’ income. The variety’s economic benefits position Kashir Basmat as a valuable addition to diversify rice crop production in the region. The collaborative technology dissemination efforts with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Jammu and Kashmir (DoA), are geared towards actively promoting Kashir Basmat across the valley within suitable ecologies. During Kharif 2023, 25ha area was brought under Kashir Basmat through DoA, and hundreds more are expected in the upcoming season owing to an overwhelming response from the farming community. As farmers seek governmental support for post-harvest infrastructure, the potential economic advantages, particularly in milling, packing, and branding, indicate an encouraging development for Kashir Basmat in the market. Exploring options under the Holistic Agriculture Development Plan (HADP) for milling, packing, and branding infrastructure could further amplify the success of Kashir Basmat in the market.
Dr. Najeeb-Ul-Rehman Sofi is an Associate Director Research, MRCFC-Khudwani, SKUAST-Kashmir; Dr. Tasneem Mubarak is a Chief Scientist, Agronomy, MRCFC-Khudwani, SKUAST-Kashmir; Dr Aabid Hussain Lone is a Jr. Scientist, Soil Science, MRCFC-Khudwani, SKUAST-Kashmir