A study was carried out in farmers' fields in Kaithal district of Haryana during wet season 2009-10 to evaluate the impact of organic and conventional farming systems on productivity and quality of basmati rice. Yield and harvest index of Taraori basmati rice cultivated under both the practices were similar. Organic management enhanced grain elongation, kernel length, kernel breadth and their ratio compared to conventional practice.

Organic management increased amylose content and slickness of grains but reduced crude protein content. Micronutrient (Fe, Mn and Zn) concentration in rice grain also increased with organic practices. No difference in aroma of basmati rice was observed under both the management practices. The yield data indicated that farmers adopting organic farming were able to get sustainable and comparable yield during nine years of organic farming. The study concluded that basmati rice can be grown organically with optimum productivity and improved grain quality.