Basmati 2000 — an Extra Long-Grained Aromatic Rice Variety in Punjab, Pakistan

Basmati 385 and Super Basmati are the main Basmati varieties grown in Punjab Province. Basmati 385 is an early-maturing and high-yielding variety, but it has long grain, which cannot compete with the extra longgrained Indian varieties. Super Basmati, on the other hand, is not well liked by farmers because it is harder to thresh and gives a lower yield than Basmati 385. However, being an extra longgrained variety with excellent cooking quality, it fetches a high price in the domestic and international markets. Breeding efforts were thus directed to producing a high-yielding Basmati variety with stiff stems, extra long grains, and excellent cooking and eating qualities.