IARI demands legal action against Pakistan for renaming and cultivating Basmati varieties protected by India.
Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has demanded legal action against Pakistan for renaming and Cultivating Basmati varieties protected in India.
Blockbuster Pusa-1121 and 1509 basmati varieties are being grown and marketed in Pakistan as “1121 Kainat” and “Kissan Basmati”.
The illegal sales and cultivation of Basmati varieties started with Pusa Basmati-1121 (PB-1121). It is known for the extra kernel length of grains.
This variety has been officially registered as ‘PK 1121 Aromatic’ in Pakistan.
PB-1509 is another high-yielding basmati variety, which is registered and renamed as ‘Kissan Basmati’ in Pakistan.
Pusa Basmati-1847 (PB-1847), PB-1885 and PB-1886 are the improved version of PB-1509, PB-1121 and PB-6 respectively.
All these basmati rice are protected under the Seeds Act, 1966. These varieties can only be grown within India.
They are also protected under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001.
