RiceTec Inc. (Texas)
"Texmati" Patent · 1997
RiceTec Inc. (Texas)
- Item
- "Texmati" Patent
- Year
- 1997
- Retail
- Multi-million $
- Spin
- ""New aromatic long-grain rice""
In 1997, RiceTec Inc. in Texas patented a rice strain it called 'Texmati,' marketing it as a 'new aromatic long-grain rice.' This action was widely seen as an attempt to claim ownership over the genetic heritage of Indian Basmati. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) initiated a multi-year legal battle to challenge the patent and safeguard the rights of Indian farmers and the traditional knowledge associated with Basmati rice cultivation.
बासमती
Basmati
- Region
- Punjab & Haryana
- True Value
- Sacred
- Category
- 11 · Patent & Legal Wars
Basmati, meaning 'fragrant one' in Sanskrit, is a unique long-grain rice variety cultivated for centuries in the fertile plains of Punjab and Haryana. Its distinct aroma, delicate flavor, and slender grains are cherished in South Asian cuisine and hold significant cultural and economic importance for local farmers, who have meticulously preserved its genetic purity through generations of traditional farming practices.
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The Story
In 1997, RiceTec Inc., a Texas-based company, secured a patent for "Texmati," which it marketed as a "new aromatic long-grain rice." This move allowed the company to claim exclusive rights over a rice variety that closely resembled Basmati, a staple of Indian agriculture, potentially giving them a multi-million dollar advantage in the global market.
Basmati (बासमती) is a highly prized aromatic long-grain rice, deeply embedded in the cultural and agricultural heritage of the Punjab and Haryana regions of India. For centuries, farmers in these areas have cultivated this unique grain, known for its distinct fragrance and slender texture. Beyond its culinary value, Basmati holds a sacred place in many Indian households, often associated with prosperity and traditional ceremonies, making its cultivation and consumption a significant part of regional identity.
The patenting of "Texmati" by RiceTec Inc. was swiftly called out as genetic theft by various Indian organizations, most notably the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Objections centered on the blatant biopiracy and the potential economic devastation for countless Indian farmers whose livelihoods depended on Basmati cultivation. The public response in India was one of outrage, leading to widespread calls for the patent's revocation and the protection of India's indigenous agricultural heritage.
CSIR initiated a multi-year legal battle to challenge the patent, ultimately leading to its partial revocation and safeguarding the rights of Indian Basmati farmers.
Genetic theft of Indian Basmati. CSIR fought a multi-year legal battle to have the patent revoked and protect local farmers.
Reporting forthcoming