RS PURA BASMATI LOSING SHEEN, AROMA

The signature fragrance of Basmati rice from Jammu’s ‘rice bowl’ R.S. Pura used to be the favourite of many communities in J&K and even outside the erstwhile State but in recent years, the rice lovers have observed a troubling decline in the aroma that made this entity a household name. Reportedly, the Agriculture Department of Jammu is working hard for revitalizing the organic status of Basmati rice but the process seems to be arduous as many factors have been involved in the degradation of this crop, which was once celebrated as people in streets, villages or Mohallas used to enjoy the enticing fragrance of this rice if the same was cooked in house in the vicinity. The R S Pura Basmati used to have a distinct scent, rich texture, and extraordinary taste which were the weakness of many living in the region but eventually things are not the same today as the aromatic quality of this rice has vanished and also the tinge. This loss, especially when compared to the aromatic basmati of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, is a cause for concern not just for farmers but for the future of this iconic crop. The factors which experts claim have dented this crop’s quality include change in climatic conditions especially the unseasonal rainfall because this kind of rice, like any other crop, thrives under specific environmental conditions of temperature, humidity, and seasonal rainfall. Unseasonal rainfall, fluctuating temperatures, and shifting weather patterns have created an environment that no longer supports the optimal production of this aromatic compound. As the climate grows more unpredictable, the fragrance that once defined R.S. Pura Basmati is fading away. Water scarcity is another factor behind degradation of this crop apart from over use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. As soil health is crucial for maintaining the balance of nutrients needed for aromatic compound synthesis, its decline is contributing to the loss of that much-loved aroma. What is a disturbing trend in this whole gamut is farmers preferring hybrid crops over the traditional ones just for the sake of high yield, which has also affected the quality in a big way. This rice was a symbol of Jammu’s agricultural heritage for generations, and its loss in quality represents a blow to both the farming community and the region’s economy. It is not too late to restore the quality, but it requires swift decisive action or else the Basmati will soon face a state of oblivion.