Marcha rice explained

Marcha rice (मर्चा चावल)
Alternative Names:	Mircha, Marchaiya, and Maricha
Description:	Marcha rice is an aromatic rice cultivated in Bihar
Type:	Aromatic rice
Area:	West Champaran district
Country:	India
Registered:	31 July 2023

Marcha rice is a variety of non-Basmati, short-grained aromatic rice mainly grown in the Indian state of Bihar. It is a common and widely cultivated crop in Ramnagar, Gaunaha, Mainatand, Chanpatiya, Narkatiyaganj and Lauriya blocks of West Champaran district.^[1]

Under its Geographical Indication tag, it is referred to as "Marcha Rice".

Name

The name "Marcha" is derived from the grain's resemblance to black pepper as in the state language of Hindi, pepper is called Marcha (मर्चा चावल).^{[2] [3] [4]} It is also locally known as Mircha, Marchaiya, and Maricha.

Description

List of characteristics and facts about Marcha Rice:^[5]

Characteristics

1. Unique aroma in plants, grains, and flakes
2. Palatability
3. Ability to produce high-quality aromatic rice flakes (chura) which is very soft, and sweet
4. Deep dark brown husk
5. It has oval, short, and bold grain shape with 100-grain weight of 1.6-2.2 g
6. Pale-Green color of the crop
7. Broader leaves than most traditional rice varieties
8. More vigorous with high vegetative growth

Cultivation

1. Clay and clay loam soil
2. Organic manures used for nutrients

Agro-climatic Impact

1. Unique aroma developed due to specific agro-climatic conditions, specially in specific blocks along the Budhi-Gandak (Sikarahna) River
2. Runoff water from the Himalayan terrain enriches the soil with minerals
3. Microclimate with low temperatures during October-November enhances aroma development
4. Aroma present in the field from seedling to flowering stage

Disease Resistance

1. No major disease infestation recorded in Marcha rice.

Geographical indication

It was awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) status tag from the Geographical Indications Registry, under the Union Government of India, on 31 July 2023 and is valid until 28 November 2031.^{[6] [7]}

Marcha Dhan Utpadak Pragatisheel Samuh from Mainatand, proposed the GI registration of Marcha rice. After filing the application in November 2021, the rice was granted the GI tag in 2023 by the Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai, making the name "Marcha rice" exclusive to the rice grown in the region.^{[8] [9] [10]} It thus became the second rice variety from Bihar after Katarni rice and the 23rd type of goods from Bihar to earn the GI tag. The GI tag protects the rice from illegal selling and marketing, and gives it legal protection and a unique identity.

Notes and References

1. News: Jan 18 . PTILast Updated . Bihar to launch conservation plan to protect 'Marcha rice', 'Govind Bhog', 'Sona Chur' . 24 November 2024 . The Economic Times . 18 January 2023.
2. News: Bihar Most Expensive Rice: बिहार में उगाए जाने वाले इन 6 चावलों की कीमत उड़ा देगी आपके होश, स्वाद और सुगंध में नहीं है कोई जोड़ . 24 November 2024 . Zee News . hi.
3. News: GI Tag: बिहार के मर्चा धान को मिल गया जीआई टैग, किसानों को मिलेगा फायदा . 24 November 2024 . News18 हिंदी . 8 October 2023 . hi.
4. Web site: Bihar's aromatic 'Marcha Rice' gets GI tag . Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) (Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India) . 24 November 2024.
5. News: Thanks to agri varsity experts, 'Marcha' rice of Bihar's West Champaran may get GI tag . 24 November 2024 . The Times of India . 8 December 2022.
6. News: Bihar's aromatic 'Marcha Rice' gets GI tag . 24 November 2024 . Deccan Herald . en.
7. Web site: Marcha Rice . Intellectual Property India . 24 November 2024.
8. News: 'Marcha rice' bags GI tag . 24 November 2024 . The Times of India . 8 October 2023.
9. News: Bihar's aromatic 'Marcha Rice' gets GI tag . 24 November 2024 . The Economic Times . 5 April 2023.
10. News: Bihar Diwas 2024 - Marcha Rice to Silao Khaja, 7 GI-Tagged Foods from the State . 24 November 2024 . 22 March 2024 .