Recognition for two rice varieties

Two unique rice varieties in the district, 'Palakkadan matta' and the medicinal 'Navara rice,' have received the Geographical Indication Registry of Intellectual Property India right under the Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.

This is the first time that two rice varieties of the State have received Geographical Indication Registry. As per the certificate (No.40 dated November 20, 2007), the registration for Navara rice was obtained by the Navara Rice Farmers Society, Karukamanikalam, near Chittur. The certificate of registry issued by V. Ravi, Registrar of Geographical Indications, Chennai, says "the Navara Rice Farmers Society, Chittur, Kerala, is the registered proprietor of G.I. Navara Rice."

Two varieties of Navara, the medicinal rice used in Ayurveda treatment, have secured registration. They are: black glumed and golden yellow glumed Navara rice varieties, which are cultivated in parts of Palakkad district.

The popular rice variety of 'Palakkadan matta' has also secured registration. Palakkad Matta Farmers Producer Company Ltd. has become the registered proprietor of the G.I. Palakkad matta rice. Under the registry, there are 10 varieties of Palakkadan matta, which will now be considered as the popular Palakkadan matta rice variety. They are: Aryan, Aruvakkari, Chitteni, Chenkazhama, Chettadi, Thavalakanna, Eruppu, Poochamban, Vattan Jyothy, and Kunjukunj. The Palakkaddan matta is described as bold red rice with a unique taste because of its special geographical area and peculiar weather of Eastern wind. Only these 10 rice varieties cultivated in Palakkad will be considered as 'Palakkadan matta.' However, more rice varieties with matta properties cultivated in Palakkad can be added to this list after detailed examinations, Narayanan Unni of Palakkadan Matta Farmers Producer Company Ltd said.He said after getting the registration, matta rice produced outside Palakkad cannot be marketed as 'Palakkadan matta.'Likewise, the organically cultivated Navara rice also can be grown only by farmers of Palakkad after getting its registry by the Navara Rice Farmers Society, Chittur.Thus the registry will help both the farmers and the consumers. The consumer can now get genuine products of Palakkadan Matta and the medicinal Navara rice.

The Hindu, March 17, 2008