2 rice varieties quietly do a rasogolla

KOLKATA: On Tuesday, Kolkata and the rest of Bengal went berserk over their favourite rasogolla bagging the GI tag. Away from the spotlight though, two varieties of home-grown rice too bagged the prestigious stamp that may prove commercially more crucial.
Gobindobhog and Tulaipanji, two varieties of aromatic rice — one from south Bengal and the other from north — were quietly granted the GI certificate on October 24.A GI is primarily an agricultural, natural or a manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical territory. The tag ensures none other than those authorised are allowed to use the product name.
The coveted tag for the two rice varieties could potentially open up new export opportunities for the state. Gobindobhog is currently exported in small quantities to UAE, the UK and the US where it is consumed by non-resident Bengalis.
Gobindobhog, that was originally cultivated in Burdwan’s Raina and Khandoghosh and is now grown in seven more districts, has been a favourite in Bengali homes for generations and offered to both guests and Gods. From plain bhaat to bhog or khichuri to payesh, Gobindobhog clearly scores over the fancied Basmati in Bengal’s homes. The rice variety derives its name from Lord Krishna to whom the rice was offered dur-ing religious ceremonies.
Tulaipanji, on the other hand, has been popular in only pockets of the state and came into prominence only in recent years with the government undertaking its promotion. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has been its foremost brand ambassador, presenting packets of the rice to guests at home and hosts during her trips abroad.
According to Prof DD Patra, vice-chancellor of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (BCKV) that played a key role in the GI application, both rice varieties could explore opportunities in all countries where rice is part of the staple diet.
“Now BCKV can export both rice verities as it is the sole authority for production of seeds of the two rice varieties,” the VC said. He hoped the state agriculture marketing department would soon give its nod for exports.
While BCKV is the patent facilitator for both the varieties of rice, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya played the lead role for Tulaipanji.
An official of the patent information centre of science and technology department said the state government had applied for GI of Gobindobhog and Tulaipanji on August 24, 2015 and it had been granted on August 28, 2017. The certificates were issued on October 24. The GI registration will emain valid till August 23, 2025 for both rice varieties.
Gobindobhog is a non-basmati indigenous, aromatic rice of Bengal grown in Burdwan for the past 300 years. It has short white kernels with a good cooking quality and pleasant aroma. It is mainly cultivated during kharif season in East Burdwan, Hooghly, Howrah, Nadia, North 24-Parganas, Birbhum, Bankura and Murshidabad. BCKV is also trying to grow Gobindobhog organically at Sagar in South 24-Parganas, for export.
Gobindobhog that sells in Kolkata for Rs 70-85 a kg is also popular in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Bengal’s exclusive aromatic rice variety Tulaipanji which was also granted the much coveted GI tag is priced in city markets around Rs 100 a kg. “This recognition will help rice-growers of North Dinajpur to increase productivity for new markets that are expected to open up as it becomes more popular,” an official said.
Tulaipanji rice, finds its mention in a Sanskrit scripture of 1300 AD. The name is derived from a Bengali word meaning aromatic and soft like cotton. It can retain the aroma for a year. The cooked rice is whitish-yellow, slender, non-sticky and tasty. The rice is excellent for preparation of pulao, fried rice and biryani. Another distinct feature of the rice is its disease-pest resistance.
Tulaipanji is cultivated only in North Dinajpur’s Hemtabad, Raigunj and Kaliagunj and is known as Basmati of north Bengal.
Agriculture minister Ashis Banerjee said that this GI tag will surely help the farmers producing both the varieties of rice and hoped the state’s rice export will grow.