The Basmati Controversy: An Overview

India claims Basmati has origins in India and since even the name originates from here, India has inherent right to protest against any type of patenting. In 2000, US corporation RiceTec (a subsidiary of RiceTec AG of Liechtenstein) attempted to patent three lines created as hybrids of Basmati rice and a semi-dwarf long-grain rice. The Indian government intervened and the attempt was thwarted.

The authorities in US though have allowed their three strains of rice to be called Basmati. This despite the fact Basmati rice is grown only in UP, Punjab, Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir in India, and Punjab in Pakistan. Rice grown elsewhere other than the above regions cannot be called Basmati, as it will not have the combined characteristic of aroma and elongation post cooking because of different soil and weather conditions.

The European Commission has agreed to protect Basmati rice under its regulations pertaining to geographical indications.