A rice variety, which has gained popularity by changing the preferences of many urban consumers in recent years, including buyers in Bengaluru and Mysuru, is currently in short supply. Moreover, the price of Rajamudi rice — once favoured by the Mysuru royals for its flavourful taste — is now selling at a never-before price of Rs. 60 a kg. Worse still, stock is not available in many mills.
- Grown mainly in Holenarsipur, Arkalgud, Ramanathapura in Hassan district; Periyapatna in Mysuru district; some parts of north Kodagu, and Mandya district
- Traditionally consumed locally, Rajamudi gained popularity in urban centres through red rice ‘santhes’ over the last five to six years
- Popular among farmers because Rajamudi variety gives enough fodder for cattle and tasty and healthy rice for people
- It is a nearly six-month crop unlike hybrids that are harvested in about five months
- Yield per acre can go up to 15 quintals
If the cropping pattern in the current season is any indicator, the availability of Rajamudi rice may be scarce either because many farmers have stayed away from sowing it in areas where it is traditionally grown or the standing crop is not getting enough water for it to mature for harvest.
Urban demand
In fact, the price of a kilo of Rajamudi across rice mills in the Hemavati and Harangi basin, which would normally be less than Rs. 30, was hovering around Rs. 40 till last month, but has now touched Rs. 50 where stock is available. Over the last couple of months, stores in Bengaluru have resorted to increasing the price owing to depleting supplies, and prices have increased by up to Rs. 10 a kg, said the owner of a store selling organic products.
“I have been trying to scout for families that still have paddy stock, but to no avail. Farmers affected by deficient rainfall this season are not selling their old paddy since they want to keep it for the family’s needs till the next crop arrives,” said H.S. Raghu, owner of Sri Krishna Rice Mill at Hebbale, near Kushalanagar.
Rajamudi was not known much in big cities earlier. Awareness on health benefits made it popular in recent years and demand increased considerably. It is also high in taste and easy to cook unlike other red rice varieties. - Asha Kumari,volunteer for Sahaja Samrudha, a farmers’ collective that is working with Rajamudi growers“Since there is a huge demand for Rajamudi in Bengaluru, our concern is to meet the demand. However, we are not sure if supplies of the rice will be available to meet a huge demand this year,” said Somesh B., Sahaja Organics CEO.
Wilting crop
Like last year, deficient rains this year have affected standing crops in Periyapatna, Holenarsipur, Arkalgud, Channarayapatna and areas in the vicinity. “Rajamudi may not come to the market on a large scale this year, either because a large number of farmers have not sown it or crops may not get water. In some places, the crop wilted owing to insufficient water,” said Hoysala S. Appaji, a Rajamudi grower in Holenarsipur. “Most farmers are likely to keep the produce for their own consumption.”
Supply of Rajamudi has been affected in the last two months. Only because we are directly involved with farmers we are able to get stock. However, the price has gone up in the same period. - Sunil Kumar V.,Arogya OrganicMany farmers had also not sown Rajamudi because it takes a month longer than hybrid varieties to harvest. “Several farmers also started late. Instead of mid-June, sowing started in early August and the crop is expected to be harvested by mid or late December. With the current water levels in the Harangi and Hemavati reservoirs, not getting enough water is our worst fear,” said Dattatreya, a farmer from Kanagal village in Periyapatna.
‘Farmers don’t benefit’
According to him, many farmers had sold their produce before the effect of the short supply was felt in the market and prices starting moving up. Thus, growers have not benefited from the price rise.
Attempts at getting GI tag
Despite its uniqueness, efforts to secure the geographical indication (GI) tag for Rajamudi rice are still in nascent stage.
A couple of years ago, farmers’ collectives had urged the government to start researching on the rice for documentation purposes that could be used to get the variety the GI tag. However, the proposal has not moved forward.
A farmers’ collective, Vasundhare Jaivike Krishika Seva Samsthe, near Holenarsipur, has been preparing documentation on the rice variety since 2006, says its president Hoysala S. Appaji. He said: “Getting the GI tag involves huge amount of money and also good legal advice. We are planning to approach the authorities this year.”
Meanwhile, farmers are also divided over what is the “original” Rajamudi. Confusion persists on whether Rajamudi was red in colour or white or a combination of both originally. “Old records of the royal court, gazetteers and inscriptions, among others, that can throw light on the uniqueness should be studied before applying for the GI tag. Only a government effort would help hasten the process,” said an expert who has worked extensively on traditional rice varieties.
