Indian farmers and traders enjoying premium in the world basmati rice markets due to the geographical indication (GI) status of the aromatic, long-grained cereal have come up against Madhya Pradesh’s unjustified bid to partake in the success. While the Chennai-based GI Registry is set to decide on MP’s application for inclusion of the state’s several districts as traditionally basmati-growing on Thursday, the current holders of the GI tag- 77 districts across seven states on the Indo-Gangetic Plain- have argued that if the central Indian state’s plea is accepted, the GI would lose its goodwill and exclusive credentials. Also, it will give a window for other countries including Pakistan and China to claim the GI benefits. Exporters under the banner of the All India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA) wrote to the commerce ministry saying inclusion of MP in basmati-rice-grown areas would “open up a plethora of appeals to include other areas which would dilute GI credentials of India. The expansion of the GI region for basmati would hit India’s exports of the item, even as exporters price realisation is already under pressure. India exported basmati rice worth Rs 21,604 crore in 2016-17 against the all-time high shipments of Rs 29,300 crore in 2013-14 despite volumes having risen.