Encouraged by higher prices and improved returns during the last paddy season, a large number of farmers are opting the Pusa Basmati 1509 variety over traditional PR varieties this season. The farmers also cite higher yields, early maturity and better water efficiency as the key reasons behind the shift.
As per the data collected from various grain markets in the district, Pusa Basmati 1509 was sold between Rs 2,300 and Rs 3,300 per quintal during the 2025 paddy season, compared to Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,800 per quintal during the 2024 season. The farmers said that better returns have boosted their confidence in the variety, leading to a significant increase in its cultivation area.
In Karnal district, paddy is cultivated on around 4.70 lakh acres, of which nearly 60 per cent is under PR varieties and 40 per cent under basmati varieties, said Dr Wazir Singh, Deputy Director Agriculture (DDA).
He further said the farmers had started preparing paddy nurseries. The actual trend would become clear only after transplantation complets, but initial indications suggest that many farmers are opting the 1509 Basmati variety.
“I have opted for the 1509 variety on 10 acres this season, compared to just two acres last year,” said Aman, a farmer. “The crop matures early and requires less water, which helps reduce overall cultivation costs. Returns during the previous paddy season were much better than those from PR varieties,” he added.
Yashbir, another farmer, shared a similar experience. “I have prepared a nursery for Pusa 1509 on eight acres this year, whereas last year I cultivated it on only four acres,” he said. “The farmers prefer it because the crop delivered better profits last season,” he added.
Rajnish Chaudhary, Chairman of the Haryana State Anaj Mandi Arhtiyas Association, also confirmed that a large number of farmers in the region are preferring the transplantation of the 1509 variety over PR varieties.
“During the last paddy procurement season, the farmers received good returns from the 1509 variety. This season, they are expecting similar profits, which is why they prefer this variety,” said Chaudhary.
Apart from Pusa Basmati 1509 and 1121, farmers are also transplanting Pusa 1718, Pusa 1692, PR varieties such as PR-114, PR-126 and PR-131, along with hybrid PR varieties including 7501 and 2222.
Whereas some farmers linked the growing preference for basmati varieties to last year’s alleged paddy procurement scam in Karnal. As per farmers, fake gate passes were allegedly generated in the names of several farmers during the government procurement process, after which many farmers were reportedly called for inquiry.
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