JOHA RICE

NEWS: India has facilitated the export of 25 metric tonnes of Assam’s GI-tagged Joha rice to the United Kingdom and Italy

JOHA RICE

• Joha riceà Short-grain aromatic rice variety àdistinctive fragrance, soft texture, and traditional cultivation practices.
• Received Geographical Indication (GI) status in 2017àunique origin and traditional cultivation in Assam.
• Originates fromà Assam in Northeast Indiaà cultivated for centuries as part of traditional agricultural systems.
• Culturally associated with Assamese cuisine and festivalsà used in special dishes.
• Mainly grown in Upper Assam and parts of Central Assam.
• Major producing districts include Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Dibrugarh, and Lakhimpur.

Characteristics:

• Emits a strong natural fragrance similar to other premium aromatic rice varieties.
• Short-grain winter paddy: Typically cultivated during the Sali (winter) rice season.
• Contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, antioxidants, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds.
• Potential anti-diabetic and cardio-protective properties due to bioactive compounds such as oryzanol, ferulic acid, and tocotrienols.

Significance:

• Helps promote India’s traditional agricultural products in international markets.
• Premium pricing of GI products improves market value for local farmers.