Marcha paddy of West Champaran gets GI tag, becomes 6th agricultural product of Bihar to get the recognition

Marcha paddy of West Champaran district of Bihar has got GI tag. Chidwa of this paddy is full of aroma and unique in taste. With this, not only will the cultivation of Marcha paddy be promoted, but Chidwa can also be produced on a large scale. Farmers growing Marcha paddy will benefit from this and their income will increase. With global recognition of Marcha paddy, its Chidwa export will also get a boost. This is the sixth agricultural product of Bihar to get GI tag

Marcha paddy is cultivated in about 300 acres of Ramnagar, Narkatiaganj, Manatand, Gaunaha, Lauria and Chanpatia in West Champaran district. With the help of the district administration, the Agriculture Department is trying to increase the area of this paddy so that the export of Marcha Chidwa can be increased. With increase in exports, farmers will be able to get good prices for their produce and new Chidwa mills will open, generating employment.

Agricultural experts say that the soil of West Champaran is very suitable for this paddy. The aroma and taste of this paddy is better. For this reason its demand is increasing. The Agriculture Department, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, agricultural scientists and farmers of the Paddy Producer Progressive Group have made a major contribution in getting the GI tag for Marcha Chidwa. Efforts are now being made to get GI tag for Anandi ka Bhuja and Jarda mangoes of West Champaran district.

Along with this, six agricultural products of Bihar have got GI tag. Earlier, litchi of Muzaffarpur, Katarni rice and Jardalu mango of Bhagalpur, Makhana of Mithila region and Magahi paan of Nawada have got GI tag. Now Marcha Chirwa of West Champaran has got GI tag.

What is GI tag and what is its benefit?

The full form of GI is Geographical Indication. GI tag is a symbol given to link a product to the area of its production. In simple words, this tag tells where the product is produced or where it is made. It is given to products that are produced or made in a particular region. The central government gives this tag which was started in 2003. Darjeeling tea from West Bengal was the first to get GI tag in 2004.

GI tag provides legal protection to that product. No other product can be brought under that name. Besides, it is also a measure of the good quality of a product. Due to this, market is easily available for that product in the country as well as abroad. Simply put, through GI tag, doors for that product open from employment to increasing income.