Basmati rice, with its long grains and aroma, when cooked, is a premium rice variety popular all over the world. However, its production is limited to a small part of India and Pakistan. It is cultivated primarily in the Himalayan foothills. The prized basmati rice is grown in seven Indian states, and for this reason, Indian Basmati (with a geographical indication of origin) had an export volume of 5.24 million tons and was worth $5.84 billion in 2023-24.
India is the world's second-largest rice producer after China and the largest exporter of rice worldwide. According to the latest data, India's rice exports stood at 19.86 million tons from April 1, 2024, to March 25, 2025.
Basmati rice has some exceptional physical features that make it stand out. It has long grains, which get longer after cooking. Notably, the grains don't expand in width, giving slender grains that aren't sticky. After cooking, the grains take a slight curvature, producing an aroma that fills the air.
Cultivating Basmati Rice
Basmati rice is cultivated in India's Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir regions. It's also grown in the Punjab province of Pakistan. These regions are identified in the geographical indication for Basmati rice. So, even if the seeds are the same, rice grown outside these regions can't be called basmati.
Apart from these seven Indian states, aromatic or scented rice varieties are grown in a few other parts of India but are not recognized as Basmati rice.
Cultivating Basmati rice in India requires the farmer to choose suitable land in one of these seven states. Next comes the selection of seeds. Several popular varieties of Basmati rice are commercially available.
Popular varieties of Basmati rice
Traditional Basmati (Raw or Aged Basmati)
- This is the classic, long-grain variety often aged for 1–2 years to enhance its aroma and texture.
- Commonly used in biryanis, pilafs, and other South Asian dishes due to its strong fragrance and fluffy, separate grains.
Pusa Basmati (1121)
- Known for its extra-long grain, this hybrid variety is incredibly popular for commercial and home cooking.
- It elongates significantly when cooked and remains non-sticky—ideal for festive rice dishes like biryani.
Pusa Basmati (1509)
- A slightly shorter grain than 1121 but still very aromatic and fast-cooking.
- Valued for higher yields and shorter cooking time, making it a favorite in restaurants and large-scale food service.
Land - Where to grow Basmati rice?
A few factors must be considered when choosing land for Basmati cultivation, notably soil and water for irrigation.
Basmati grows in alluvial and tarai soils, which can hold water and nutrients longer. It thrives in abundance of well-drained water. The soil should be loam to clay loam, a balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay. This kind of texture helps retain water and nutrients, and at the same time, they allow for efficient drainage of water. In the absence of adequate drainage, the roots can get damaged. The soil should have a specific pH ranging from 5 to 8, around the median between acidic and alkaline. Soils with alkaline and saline characteristics are generally not suitable for basmati. They can negatively impact the growth and aroma of the rice.
Season - When it is best to plant Basmati rice
Basmati rice is grown during the monsoon rains/season, which typically begins in June and continues until October (in India). The best season for sowing Basmati is June -July. Depending on the type of seed, the basmati takes 120 to 150 days to mature and be ready for harvesting.
Seeds
As many as 45 types of Basmati seeds are recognized by the government. There are more of them, including traditional varieties. The selection of seed depends on the quality of rice it produces, yield, maturity period, and disease resistance. Some of the popular Basmati seeds are Pusa Basmati 1121 (known for excellent cooking quality and extra long grains), Pusa Basmati 1509 (shorter growth cycle), Pusa Basmati 1718 (more resilient to disease and adverse weather conditions), Dehradun Basmati (produces a popcorn-like aroma).
Basmati seeds are readily available with leading and certified seed suppliers and designated government agriculture offices.
Manure and Pesticides: How do you care for basmati rice plants?
Growing Basmati rice involves meticulous planning and application of manure and pesticides. Using compost or any other manure ensures the soil has adequate organic matter, which provides nutrients to the plant and makes for proper water drainage. Chemical fertilizers can be used for additional nutrients. However, a balance is required in how much manure and chemical fertilizers are to be used. The first round of manure should be applied before leveling the field. It ensures the field gets an equal amount of manure across the field. Also, the seeds should be treated with fungicides before sowing. It provides the plant doesn't have seed-borne diseases.
Pest management is a crucial part of growing basmati. If proper pesticides are not used, pests and insects will likely attack the basmati crop. Pesticides include insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides, and bactericides, and they control the population of insects, weeds, rodents, and bacteria.
Depending on soil test results and the region where it's being grown, an integrated pest management system can be developed for the Basmati crop. Using less pesticide is always a welcome choice as it reduces the environmental impact. Part of integrated pest management is the use of resistant seed varieties, regular monitoring of pests, and applying pesticides only when necessary. Treating the soil with fungicide before leveling ensures there is little fungus attack on the plant as it grows.
Irrigation - How much water do basmati rice plants need?
Basmati rice needs proper irrigation to thrive. As it grows during the Kharif season, which commences with the monsoon season, there is usually enough rainwater for irrigation. However, depending entirely on the monsoon is not wise, as monsoons can sometimes fail in specific regions. Having an alternative irrigation facility is required. Lack of irrigation water can adversely impact the crop.
Harvesting - When should Basmati rice be harvested?
After the Basmati crop matures, it's time to harvest it. At this stage, the stalks dry up, and the grains have a golden-brown hue.
The crop can be harvested manually and with the help of machines, depending on the size of the farm. It's followed by threshing, separating the grains from the stalks. Different drying methods, such as sun and artificial drying, can dry the grains. The moisture of the dried-up grains should be in the range of 18%-22%.
The commonly used white Basmati rice comes after hulling and milling. After hulling, the rice that comes out is brown rice, which is milled further to obtain white basmati grains. Now is the time to sort, grade, package, and store the rice. It should be packaged in moisture-resistant packaging material. While sorting and grading ensure broken rice and foreign things are separated, proper storage is essential to ensure the rice has optimal Basmati characteristics — the aroma, fluffiness, and elongation after cooking.
Post-harvest processing can be done at locally available rice mills, such as hulling and milling.
Access to the market
India produced 3.9 million tons of basmati rice in 2021-22, 4.5 million tons in 2022-23, and 5.2 million tons in 2023-24, marking a year-on-year (y-o-y) growth of 15.66% and 14.93% respectively. India's export of Basmati rice was 3.5 million tons in 2021-22, 4.79 million tons in 2022-23, and 5.84 million tons, marking a y-o-y growth of 35.34% and 22.05%, respectively. The trends show a strong demand for Basmati rice in the international market.
Basmati rice enjoys tremendous brand value across the globe. It also benefits from a strong exporter network, who would readily buy high-quality Basmati rice from small farmers.
Before starting basmati cultivation, it's essential to research and figure out the market. This may involve partnering with established exporters or rice dealers.
Final Thoughts
Basmati rice is world-famous for its long grains and flavor. When cooked, the rice expands in length rather than breadth, giving the cooked grains a non-sticky and fluffy texture. For these qualities, basmati is a much sought-after rice worldwide.
This unique scented rice is grown in a limited area in the Himalayan foothills, where soil and climatic conditions are most favorable. For growing high-quality basmati rice, various factors such as soil type, seed quality, manure and fertilizers, and water for irrigation need to be optimally favorable. Farmers should also research available markets and buyers before cultivating basmati rice in India. Rice dealers linked to exporters who could buy basmati rice from small farmers for exports are often easily available. However, if the basmati cultivation project is large and a significant amount of produce is expected, farmers can venture into basmati exports themselves.
References:
https://www.apeda.gov.in/BasmatiRice
https://www.peptechbio.com/basmati-rice-cultivation/
https://www.drrkfoods.com/understanding-the-basmati-rice-manufacturing-process-in-india/
Further reading
Weed Management in Direct Seeded Rice (DSR): Transforming Production
Reviving Traditional Rice Farming Practices for Sustainability and Resilience
Rice sustainable farming and SRI (System of Rice Intensification) method
Climate-Smart Agriculture Solutions in Rice
How to grow Rice - Rice Complete Growing Guide from Seeding to Harvest
