Pokkali Rice

Context

  • Due to severe seawater incursion (after cyclone Amphan) into paddy fields, farmers in South 24 Parganas District of West Bengal are betting on bringing pokkali variety of rice from Kerala to their fields.

Why?

  • About 80% of the rice paddies in the Sundarbans faced the problem of the saltwater incursion.
  • If the Pokkali experiment succeeds, it would be a good step to turn around the fortunes of the farmers.

Back to Basics

About Pokkali Rice

  • Known for its saltwater resistance, flourishes in the paddy fields of coastal Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts.
  • The uniqueness of the rice has brought it the Geographical Indication (GI) tag and is the subject of continuing research.
  • Vyttila-11 is the latest variety to come out of Kerala Agricultural University’s field station in Vyttila.
  • It promises better yield of about 5 tonnes per hectare than the previous varieties, and is crossed with the Jyoti variety of rice popular in Kerala.
  • Pokkali hasmedicinal properties and its higher value of antioxidants and low carbohydrate content makes it preferable to those on a low sugar diet.

Other GI Tags in Kerala

  1. Payyannur Pavithra Mothiram is a kind of gold ring worn
  2. Changalikodan Nendran Bananaor famously known as Changalikodan
  3. Alappuzha Green cardamom
  4. Aranmula Mirror
  5. Vazhakkulam pineapple
  6. Navara Rice
  7. Jeerakasala- gandhakasala Rice
  8. Thazhappaya
  9. Nilambur Teak
  10. Central Travancore Jaggery
  11. Marayur Jaggery/ Sharkara
  12. Kuthambulli ‘Set and Mundu’
  13. Balaramapuram Handloom
  14. Chendamangalam Handloom
  15. Kasaragod saree
  16. Pokkali Rice
  17. Kaipad rice
  18. Palakkadan Matta rice
  19. Onattukara sesame seeds
  20. Malabar pepper
  21. Thiroor betel leafs
  22. Wayanad Robusta Coffee
  23. Palakkad Maddalam
  24. Alappuzha Coir
  25. Coconut Shell Craft

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