GUWAHATI: The Assam Rice Research Institute (ARRI), commemorating its centenary year, is actively working on developing a high-yielding premium quality version of Assam's renowned aromatic Joha rice. The institute, situated approximately 20 km from Jorhat, has been at the forefront of rice research since its inception in 1923, addressing the agricultural challenges faced by farmers in the Brahmaputra valley.
Originally established as a rice experimental station, the institute evolved into the Assam Agricultural University-Assam Rice Research Institute (AAU-ARRI) on January 27, 2023, under the administrative control of Assam Agricultural University (AAU). Current research priorities include the development of climate-smart cultivars, biofortified rice varieties rich in zinc and iron content, and high-yielding premium quality aromatic Joha rice.
The production of Joha rice is comparatively lower than normal rice, and farmers may lack awareness of its market potential and profitability.