Stakeholders engaged in securing the Geographical Indication (GI) status for Rajamudi variety of rice have decided to constitute a Rajamudi Growers’ Group to take the initiative forward.
This was decided at the two-day workshop organised to discuss the framework and broad outlines on securing the GI tag for Karnataka’s premier variety of rice – Rajamudi.
It has also been decided to declare the area comprising Holenarsipura, Periyapatana, Arkalgud, K.R. Nagar, Somwarpet, Sakleshpur, Alur and Hassan regions as the ‘Rajamudi Belt’ as the best variety of Rajamudi is cultivated here.
ADVERTISEMENT
Scientists and rice researchers who attended the workshop pointed out that though Rajamudi is cultivated in many parts of the State, the variety in Holenarsipura belt had unique qualities and so was a strong point in securing the GI status.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka Agricultural Price Commission, which has constituted a committee to prepare the ground work for securing the GI status for Rajamudi, will begin the documentation process including unearthing its references, if any, in ancient literary works.
Krishnaprasad of Sahaja Samruddha, an NGO involved in conservation of indigenous variety of rice and millet, said the documentation would take time. Sahaja Samruddha will work closely with KAPC and the Department of Agriculture and prepare a template.
ADVERTISEMENT
“No agricultural crop in Karnataka has secured the GI tag so far. This is the first such exercise. The template that we create will become a model to be replicated in case the GI tag is to be sought for other crops,” said Mr. Krishnaprasad. Ratnachoodi and Gandhasale are two varieties next in line for GI status, say cultivators.
The number of cultivators will be documented and brought under the Rajamudi Growers’ Group. It is reckoned that nearly 10,000 hectares of land is under Rajamudi cultivation and the working group has to bring them on a common platform with consumers.