Punjab's Basmati rice will bridge Indo-UK trade ties

Thursday, 21/02/2013

http://www.punjabnewsline.com/news/Punjab_s-Basmati-rice-will-bridge-Indo_UK-trade-ties.html

AMRITSAR: British Prime Minister David Cameron felt that there was a great business opportunity for enhanced Indo-British Economic ties.

Welcoming the Memorandum of Understanding signed for the supply of 12000 metric tons of Lal Qilla Basmati rice to East End Foods Company based in England, the Prime Minister said here today that it would usher in a new era for developing trade relations.

Evincing keen interest into the agriculture of Punjab the Prime Minister said that it was a great initiative that aromatic Basmati from the field of Punjab would find a place in England and added that number of English Families were converting and enjoying the Basmati Rice. He said that it was emerging as an important food item among the delicious Indian rice dishes in England.

Cameron said that with technical collaboration offered by the English Company to ASCW for in house laboratory facilities for DNA, Aflatoxin and pesticides testing would ensure greater quality standards for this product. He said that England was proud of the agricultural progress made by India and especially Punjab which have been contributing to meet the food needs of India and world.

Arvinder Pal Singh, Director of Amritsar Singh Chawal Wala conducted the Prime Minister to the paddy processing Mill and showed him the quality product being packed and deliver to the customers around the globe. Cameron discussed various aspects of the rice production and about the concept of field to fork delivery system. He shook hands with the staff and the workers in a very informal manner.

Briefing the Prime Minister, Arvinder Pal Singh said that India have emerged as the largest exporter of rice in the current year replacing Thailand from the top slot. He said that India already exported 8.3 million tons till Jan.2013 against the last year figure of 7.7 million tons and likely to achieve the magical figure of 10 million tons by the end of financial year.

Punjab has also been in the fore front of Rice Export and contribute quarter of the all India Export of about 2 million tons. The Director of Lal Qilla Basmati Rice said that with the growing exports of basmati rice from Punjab the area under cultivation have also gone up and at present 2.88 million tons. The harvesting of basmati has resulted in a huge saving of water resource and the prices of basmati paddy have also shown a tremendous increase from last year figure of Rs 2200 per quintal to the present level of Rs 3700 per quintal. The demand for basmati rice across the world and India has registered a big increase and this would benefit the farmers of this region.

Earlier the Prime Minister was presented with Phulkari shawl and a picture frame of Golden Temple. He was accompanied by Kuldeep Singh Wouhra, Director of East End Foods England, British High Commissioner James Bevan and other members of the delegation. He also had the photographs with the family and stayed in the factory for more than half an hour.