Kalonunia rice is a variety of non-Basmati, aromatic, black textured small rice mainly grown in the Indian state of West Bengal.[2][3][4] It is a common and widely cultivated crop in districts of Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar along with some parts of Darjeeling & Kalimpong districts of West Bengal.[5][6][7][8]
| Kalonunia rice (কলোনুনিয়া চাল) | |
|---|---|
| Geographical indication | |
| Description | Kalonunia rice is an aromatic rice cultivated in West Bengal |
| Type | Aromatic rice |
| Area | Northern parts of West Bengal[1] |
| Country | India |
| Registered | 02/01/2024 |
| Official website | ipindiaservices.gov.in |
Under its Geographical Indication tag, it is referred to as "Kalonunia Rice".[9]
Name
editThe word "Kalonunia" is derived from "Kalo", meaning black in the state language of Bengali, representing the black-husked grain, and "Nunia", indicating a local rice group of West Bengal. Kalonunia is also reported as Kala nenia, Kala nina, or Kala nooniah.[10]
Local name
editIt is known as Kalonunia chaal (কলোনুনিয়া চাল) or simply only as Kalonunia.[11] "Chaal" means rice in Bengali.[12]
Description
editSome of the uses and characteristics of Kalonunia rice in points:[13][14]
Characteristics
edit- It is noted for its vibrant black husk appearance and non-sticky texture.
- Blast resistant rice variety
- Wide genetic base provides protection against pests, diseases, pathogens, and climate fluctuations
- It requires less fertilizer compared than other varieties
Uses
edit- Used as an everyday plain rice (alternative to Basmati)
- Preparation of traditional sweet dishes
- Grain dust for local sweet dishes (like Pithe, Patisapta)
- Payesh during rituals and special functions
- Puffed rice known as Muri locally
- Bhat (boiled rice), Polao or Bhog (Khichdi)
Geographical indication
editIt was awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) status tag from the Geographical Indications Registry under the Union Government of India on 02/01/2024 (valid until 11/03/2034).
State Agricultural Management & Extension Training Institute (SAMETI) from Narendrapur, proposed the GI registration of Kalonunia rice. After filing the application in March 2021, the rice was granted the GI tag in 2024 by the Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai, making the name "Kalonunia rice" exclusive to the rice grown in the region.[9] It thus became the third rice variety from West Bengal after Tulaipanji rice and the 26th type of goods from West Bengal 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.
References
edit- ^ "Kalo Nunia: The Indigenous Scented Rice Cultivar from the Northern Parts of Bengal". Vigyan Varta. 5 (2): 152–157.
- ^ "Evaluation of indigenous aromatic rice cultivars from sub-Himalayan Terai region of India for nutritional attributes and blast resistance". National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ "Honey, Tangail, Garad among 5 more West Bengal products to get GI tag". The Times of India. 5 January 2024. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ Bharat, E. T. V. (4 January 2024). "Five Bengal products including Sundarbans honey get GI tag". ETV Bharat News. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ "Bengal's own Gobindabhog and Tulaipanji soon to get a distinct stand on world map". The Indian Express. 2 January 2024. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ Khush, Gurdev S.; Hettel, Gene; Rola, Tess (1996). Rice Genetics III: Proceedings of the Third International Rice Genetics Symposium, Manila, Philippines, 16-20 October 1995. Int. Rice Res. Inst. ISBN 978-971-22-0087-8. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ Roychoudhury, Aryadeep (29 July 2020). Rice Research for Quality Improvement: Genomics and Genetic Engineering: Volume 2: Nutrient Biofortification and Herbicide and Biotic Stress Resistance in Rice. Springer Nature. ISBN 978-981-15-5337-0. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ Sarker, Dilip De; Saha, Manas Ranjan; Saha, Subrata (1 January 2015). Perspective of dietetic and antioxidant medicinal plants. Notion Press. ISBN 978-93-84878-95-5.
- ^ a b "Kalonunia Rice". Intellectual Property India. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ "Effect of organic nutrient management on yield, quality, nutrient uptake andeconomics of aromatic rice (Oryza sativa) in hill zone of West Bengal". Indian Journal of Agronomy. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ "New Business Ideas: স্বাদে গুণে অতুলনীয় কালো নুনিয়ার চাষে মোটা টাকা লাভ, কী এই জিনিস ? জেনে নিন". bengali.news18.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ Yates, William (1874). Introduction to the Bengali Language (in Bengali). G.H. Rouse, Baptist Mission Press. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ Nations, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United (9 October 2018). FUTURE SMART FOOD: Rediscovering hidden treasures of neglected and underutilized species for Zero Hunger in Asia. Food & Agriculture Org. ISBN 978-92-5-130495-2. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ Ghosal, Sutanuka (8 December 2017). "After Rosogolla, Bengal plans GI tags for Kalonunia, Randhunipagal rice". The Economic Times. Retrieved 23 November 2024.