A new variety of rice was patented by a foreign company, though such varieties have been present in india for a long time. This is related to

Options

A. Lerma Rojo
B. Sharbati Sonora
C. Co-667
D. Basmati

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Question**: The question states that a new variety of rice was patented by a foreign company, even though similar varieties have existed in India for a long time. We need to identify which rice variety this situation pertains to.

2. **Analyzing the Options**: The options provided are:
- Lerma Rojo
- Sherbati Sonro
- CO667
- Basmati

3. **Eliminating Incorrect Options**:
- **Lerma Rojo**: This is a high-yielding variety of wheat, not rice. Therefore, it can be eliminated.
- **Sherbati Sonro**: This is also a high-yielding variety of wheat. Hence, it is not the correct answer.
- **CO667**: This is a variety of soybean, which is not related to rice. Thus, it can also be eliminated.

4. **Identifying the Correct Option**: The only remaining option is **Basmati**. Basmati rice is a variety that has been cultivated in India for a long time.

5. **Providing Additional Context**: In 1997, an American company named RiceTec patented a new variety of Basmati rice. This new variety was developed by crossing traditional Indian Basmati with a semi-dwarf variety. This highlights the issue of biopiracy, where traditional knowledge and resources are patented by foreign entities.

6. **Conclusion**: The correct answer to the question is **Basmati**.

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