Last Updated:
Dehradun News: The district administration has implemented a special scheme to revive Doon Basmati, which has become the identity of Dehradun. Its cultivation is being restarted using traditional methods in selected areas of Vikasnagar, Sahaspur and Doon Valley. Besides, farmers will get full support of technical support and marketing from government outlets, so that the lost fragrance of Doon Basmati can once again reach the markets.
Dehradun : The lush green Doon Valley of Dehradun has been famous across the country for the smell of litchi and basmati rice. History tells that after the end of Afghanistan rule, special seeds of Basmati rice were brought here, after which the Doon region created a unique identity of aromatic Basmati. However, the increasing pressure of urbanization and industrialization gradually tarnished this special fragrance. But now this smell is going to return once again. The government is starting a special project aimed at reviving the extinct variety of Doon Basmati.
Under this scheme, the district administration will select farmers working on traditional agricultural methods. Also, they will be given special training according to climate change. Selected farmers will be mainly drawn from women self-help groups. After crop production, the Agriculture Department will also provide certificates to these farmers, so that Doon Basmati paddy can be officially certified. Apart from this, technical training will be provided to women and emphasis will be laid on expansion of Basmati Type-3 variety. The finished product will be made available in the market through government outlets, so that tourists can also take the famous Basmati of Dehradun with them.
Pilot project will start in 3 areas
District Project Manager Rep Kailash Bhatt said that this initiative of Chief Development Officer Abhinav Shah will not only provide employment to farmers and women groups but will also bring back the lost identity of Doon Basmati. The project has been started as a pilot in Vikasnagar and Sahaspur areas. After the meetings of local farmers and experts, the work of expansion of Basmati Type-3 was started, which has yielded positive results.
Farmers got payment of Rs 13 lakh
The Rural Development Department has so far purchased more than 200 quintals of Doon Basmati at the rate of Rs 65 per kg, in return for which more than Rs 13 lakh has been paid to the farmers. Emphasis is also being laid on establishing Doon Basmati as a brand through Hilans and House of Himalaya, so that tourists coming to Dehradun can take its fragrance with them.
Dehradun’s Basmati on the reason for its extinction
The Chief Development Officer said that this project has been started with the aim of reviving Doon Basmati which is currently moving towards extinction in a traditional way. Selected farmers have been given climate change based training, and after crop production they will also be certified by the Agriculture Department, so that Doon Basmati can regain its historical identity.
