Chandigarh, Sep 22 (IANS): Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help farmers from Haryana who grow Basmati rice.

In a letter to the prime minister, Hooda has drawn his attention to the heavy losses incurred by farmers in Haryana due to the sudden drop in the purchase price of Basmati rice, a spokesman said Monday.

Haryana is the biggest exporter of Basmati rice in the country. The Karnal and Kurukshetra districts belt is known for Basmati rice production.

Hooda pointed out that the scanty rainfall this year hsd already increased the production cost of rice and now the reduction in purchase price of Basmati rice is affecting farmers.

Hooda said that the loss being suffered by farmers due to fall in prices is up to Rs 1,500 per quintal.

"If necessary steps are not taken soon, not only will the farmers suffer, the country too will lose foreign exchange as a result of fall in export of Basmati rice to other countries," Hooda said in his letter.