Basmati rice is set to gain acreage in India, largest exporter of the premium rice, as the farmers earned higher remuneration in the last season. Farmers in basmati-belt states are growing more of the cereal instead of cotton and regular rice compared to the last year. The forecast of normal monsoon in India is also enticing farmers in rice growing states of Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir to grow more basmati. A normal monsoon boost output of other crops including cotton and farmers earned less than expected in the fibre crop in the last season. The increase in area of basmati is on expected lines after farmers earned well in the previous year. The area would increase by more than 10 per cent this season. Despite the revival in basmati cropping pattern, the exporters are anxious of challenges in international trade including stagnant market, looming US sanctions on Iran and newer European residue norms. Sethia urged for stricter regularisation of pesticides in the country to meet newer residue norms in international trade. “The government needs to regularise pre-harvest chemicals to boost the stagnant basmati trade.