Balaghat Chinnor rice explained

Balaghat Chinnor (बालाघाट चिन्नौर चावल)
Description:	Balaghat Chinnor is an aromatic rice cultivated in Madhya Pradesh
Type:	Aromatic rice
Area:	Balaghat district
Country:	India
Registered:	14 September 2021

Balaghat Chinnor is a variety of non-Basmati aromatic rice mainly grown in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.^{[1] [2] [3]} It is a common and widely cultivated crop in tehsils of Balaghat, Baihar, Birsa, Paraswada, Katangi, Waraseoni, Lalbarra, Khairlanji, Lanji and Kirnapur of Balaghat district^{[4] [5]}

Name

Balaghat Chinnor Rice is a prized crop in Balaghat and so named after it. "Chinnor" or "Chinnaur" is an acronym of the Hindi term “Chiknaiyukt Nokdaar Sugangdhit Chavur” which means Chiknaiyukt (Oily content), Nokdaar (Sharp tipped), Sugangdhit (Aromatic) and Chavur (Local name for Rice).^{[6] [7]}

The word "Chinnor" (variations like "Chinnaur") has its roots in three distinct components:^[8]

1. Chi: Derived from "Chiknai Yukt," indicating the rice's high oil content.
2. Nau: Originating from "Nokdaar," meaning sharp tip, referring to the rice grain's shape.
3. R: Simply denoting "rice"

Local name

It is known as Balaghat Chinnor rice (बालाघाट चिन्नौर चावल) or simply only as Chinnor rice.^[9]

Description

Balaghat Chinnor rice is a ceremonial, traditional, aromatic, and endemic rice variety from Madhya Pradesh.^{[10] [11]} It is renowned for its distinct aroma, taste, and softness, making it a staple in marriage feasts and religious ceremonies. Other features are:^[12]

Aroma and Texture

• Strong scent in both cooked and uncooked rice
• Soft, shiny, and slightly sticky cooked grains

Grain Shape

• Apex resembles the tip of a sword

Taste and Culinary Uses

• Unique taste
• Ideal for Kheer (creamy texture, distinct rice flavor, no added flavorings needed)
• Suitable for Puri, Anarsa (sweet and sour), roti, and cooked chawal (bhatt)

Cooking Properties

• Quick cooking time
• Smooth dough with warm water

Cultural Significance

• In Balaghat temples, priests offer Chinnor Kheer as Prasad Bhog (blesses food), leveraging its aroma, sweetness, and milk-thickening properties.

By-Product

• Chinnor rice has a notable by-product with its rice bran containing a high oil content. The oil content in Chinnor rice bran is 20-21%, surpassing the 18-19% oil content found in the bran of regular rice varieties.^[13]

Geographical indication

It was awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) status tag from the Geographical Indications Registry under the Union Government of India on 14 September 2021 (valid until 2 October 2029).

Balaghat Chinnor Utpadak Sahkari Samiti Maryadit Balaghat from Waraseoni, proposed the GI registration of Balaghat Chinnor rice. After filing the application in October 2019, the rice was granted the GI tag in 2021 by the Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai, making the name "Balaghat Chinnor rice" exclusive to the rice grown in the region. It thus became the first rice variety from Madhya Pradesh and the 12th type of goods from Madhya Pradesh to earn the GI tag.^[14]

The GI tag protects the rice from illegal selling and marketing, and gives it legal protection and a unique identity.

Notes and References

1. Study on Adoption of Chinnor Rice Production Technology and Constraints Faced by Farmers of Balaghat District, Madhya Pradesh . International Journal of Bio-Resource and Stress Management . 2021 . 10.23910/1.2021.2257 . 21 November 2024 . en . Khan . Mohammad Imran . Bisen . Uttam . Sarvade . S. . Gautam . Kamleshwar . Bisen . Sharad . Rai . S. K. . Shrivastava . Atul . 12 . 5 . 516–522 .
2. Web site: Study on Adoption of Chinnor Rice Production Technology and Constraints Faced by Farmers of Balaghat District, Madhya Pradesh . ResearchGate GmbH . 21 November 2024.
3. News: Service . Express News . A revolution in a rice bowl . 21 November 2024 . The New Indian Express . 11 July 2021 . en.
4. Web site: One district one product District Balaghat, Government of Madhya Pradesh India . District Administration © District Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh . 21 November 2024.
5. Khan . Mohammad Imran . Bisen . Uttam . Sarvade . S. . Gautam . Kamleshwar . Bisen . Sharad . Rai . S. K. . Shrivastava . Atul . Study on Adoption of Chinnor Rice Production Technology and Constraints Faced by Farmers of Balaghat District, Madhya Pradesh . International Journal of Bio-resource and Stress Management . 31 October 2021 . 12 . 5 . 516–522 . 10.23910/1.2021.2257 . 244412503 . en.
6. Book: Dogra . Bharat . The Life and Work of Dr. R.H. Richharia: The Eminent Rice Scientist who Struggled All His Life for Small Farmers to Protect Them from Big Business and to Preserve Their Heritage : Including the Text of an Action Plan on Rice Prepared by Dr. Richharia . 1991 . B. Dogra . 21 November 2024 . en.
7. News: Madhya Pradesh Rice Variety Known for Aroma, Taste Gets GI Tag; Eyes Global Market . 21 November 2024 . News18 . en.
8. News: How a GI tag could resuscitate a near-dead variety of rice in MP . 21 November 2024 . India Today . 14 October 2021 . en.
9. News: बालाघाट के चिन्नौर चावल के आप हैं शौकीन तो यह खबर खासतौर से आपके लिए है... . 21 November 2024 . News18 हिंदी . 27 December 2022 . hi.
10. Book: Pradesh . India Superintendent of Census Operations, Madhya . District Census Handbook, Madhya Pradesh: Balaghat . 1964 . Government of Madhya Pradesh . 21 November 2024 . en.
11. Book: Pradesh (India) . Madhya . Madhya Pradesh: Balaghat . 1992 . Government Central Press . 21 November 2024 . en.
12. Web site: GOVERNMENT OF INDIA GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS JOURNAL NO. 133 MARCH 23, 2020 . Intellectual Property India . 21 November 2024.
13. News: Bharat . E. T. V. . MP: Balaghat's 'Chinnor rice' gets GI tag, farmers income to increase . 21 November 2024 . ETV Bharat News . 30 September 2021 . en.
14. News: Balaghat Chinnor rice first agriculture produce in Madhya Pradesh to get GI tag . 22 November 2024 . The Times of India . 1 October 2021.