GI-tagged rice varieties to get a boost

Rs.2 crore set aside to grow them on 2,000 hectares

The government has chalked out plans to promote the cultivation of four special traditional rice varieties in the State that have been included in the Geographical Indications (GI) registry of India.

An amount of Rs.2 crore has been earmarked in the annual Plan to bring 2,000 hectares of land under cultivation of Pokkali, Njavara, Jeerakasala, and Gandhakasala rice varieties that have received the GI tag, signifying the unique qualities attributable to their place of origin.

Farmers will be offered an incentive of Rs.10,000 a hectare to take up the cultivation of these unique rice varieties. Agriculture Director R. Ajithkumar said efforts were on to work out a marketing mechanism for the special rice varieties with the help of Oil Palm India.

The GI tag not only acts as a certification, but also offers legal protection and boosts the export potential of the rice varieties.

Scented rice

Jeerakasala and Gandhakasala are scented rice varieties grown by farmers and tribal communities in Panamaram, Sultan Bathery, and Mananthavady in Wayanad district. Njavara rice is a unique cultivar of the State endowed with medicinal properties. Njavara is cultivated mainly in the northern parts of the State.

Pokkali

Known for its special taste and high protein content, Pokkali is a saline- resistant rice variety organically cultivated in the coastal regions. Pokkali farmers alternate between paddy cultivation during the low saline phase from June to early November and prawn farming during the high saline phase from mid-November to mid-April.

The Plan scheme seeks to promote the cultivation of Jeerakasala and Gandhakasala in 1,350 hectares in Wayanad, Njavara in 30 hectares in Palakkad and Wayanad, and Pokkali in 610 hectares in Ernakulam, Alappuzha, and Thrissur districts.

It also envisages the promotion of Basmati rice cultivation with the help of Padasekhara Samithies, self-help groups, and non-governmental organisations.

“Paddy farming assumes significance in terms of food and water security and ecosystem conservation. It is heartening to note that more farmers are coming forward to take it up,” Mr. Ajithkumar said.