The area under production of world's best brand of rice -- basmati -- is decreasing with farmers taking to cultivating alternative varieties in the Jammu area, R S Pura Rice Growers Association (RSPRGA) said today.

The progressive basmati farmers are facing a number of problems, including non-availability of quality seeds, fertilisers and irrigation facilities, to continue cultivation of this world famous rice brand, President of RSPRGA Choudhary Dev Raj told reporters here.

Basmati is cultivated in over 52,000 hectares of land in only R S Pura area of Jammu district and this has come down to almost half now, he said, adding that similarly, there has been decrease in basmati cultivation in areas of Bishna and Kathua in the region.

Though the season is on our head for cultivation of this best brand, but there is no availability of quality seeds and fertilisers, he said and alleged that irrigation department is also showing irresponsible attitude towards farming community as irrigation facilities were lacking.

Now, farmers have been taking to alternative varieties like RS-10, China and 6444 bayer as these are yielding more and result in profit to the growers, Raj said.