India’s rice export ban could hit planting, farm income: Farmers’ body

India’s recent decision to prohibit non-basmati white rice exports could lead to a 5% decrease in rice planting. This ban is predicted to reduce farmers’ income, pushing them to consider alternative crops, as stated by a prominent farmers’ association closely associated with the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Last month, India, the world’s largest rice exporter responsible for over 40% of global rice supply, put a stop to non-basmati white rice exports. This move caused rice prices to soar to several-year peaks. The farmers’ group in question, BKS, is affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which is considered the ideological foundation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party.

While BKS has ideological connections to the ruling party, it has previously shown opposition to some of India’s agricultural policies, occasionally prompting the government to reconsider its stance. BKS has also backed farmers in their protests. Mishra, a representative of BKS, urged the government to offset the ban’s impact by purchasing significant amounts of the new rice harvest at increased rates.