Lalit Mohan
Tribune News Service
Dharamsala, September 8
The red rice variety of Himachal will now get Geographical Indication (GI) registration. This will help farmers growing red rice varieties and getting higher price of their produce.
Agriculture university of Palampur has submitted an application for the GI registration of japonica red rice to the GI Registry Office, Chennai.
HK Chaudhary, V-C, said the university was also working on getting GI tag for Karsog kulthi and Chamba chukh. Scientists have been directed to file at least 50 GI registration applications in this golden jubilee year of statehood. After getting the GI tag, farmers will get national and international recognition for the crop or commodity which helps them to get highly remunerative price, he said.
The red varieties of the state include chhohartu from Shimla district; sukara, jhinjan and karad from Chamba district; jattu, deval matali from Kullu district and desi dhan, kalizhini, achhoo and begmi from Kangra district. Red rice is nutritionally superior, rich in iron and zinc and has numerous trace elements and vitamins and high anti-oxidant properties.
Prof HK Chaudhary said unlike red rice of Kerala and other states, the red rice of Himachal were adapted to cooler climates. In view of this, the university was making efforts to the get GI tag for japonica red rice.
Chhohartu, a red rice variety grown in the Chhohara Valley, Rohru (Shimla), is a part of cultural heritage of the area.
To help farmers get higher price
- The university is also working on getting GI tag for Karsog kulthi and Chamba chukh
- Scientists have been directed to file 50 GI registration applications in this golden jubilee year of statehood
- Farmers will get a highly remunerative price for the crop
