GUWAHATI: In what can be a proud moment for the small farmers of Assam the 'boka saul' (mud rice) has reportedly got itself a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. It is now in the league of Assam Tea, Muga Silk, Joha Rice and the Tezpur Litchi to have earned the GI-tag.
The GI tag ensures that none other than those registered as authorised users (or at least those residing inside the geographic territory) are allowed to use the popular product name.
This winter crop grown mostly in the lower Assam areas needs no cooking. It's ready to eat rice which needs an hour of soaking in cold water. A good variety will take just half an hour to be served. It can be enjoyed with cream, milk, red tea, black coffee, local fruits like banana and jackfruits, jaggery, curd etc.
Two organisations - Lotus Progressive Centre, Nalbari, and Centre for Environment Education (CEE), Guwahati - had been trying to get the GI tag and have confirmed that it has been awarded by the Government of India’ Intellectual Property India (IPI) body.
The rice is locally grown and most of the present generation may not be aware of its existence. Thanks to the efforts by these organisations it can now be made popular among the common people.