Farmers are expected to grow more Basmati rice this kharif season, with the acreage under cultivation likely to go up by up to 20 per cent, driven by higher remuneration, low carryover stock and increased demand from Iran.  Normal rice cultivation has started with planting of nurseries in the Northern states and will be followed by sowing of Basmati rice in the coming weeks. The area under Basmati is expected to grow by 20-25 per cent in Punjab t&  Haryana this season as farmers’ income rose 15-20 per cent in the last season.  Export of the premium variety — India has an 85 per cent share in the Basmati exports market — has grown by 10 per cent in 2018-19, primarily due to higher demand from Iran.