Jumla, Oct 19: The Jumla farmers are now swamped with harvesting Marsi rice. The indigenous variety of crop is cultivated at Chandannath-1, Chandannath-3 and Lekali-3 of Jumla district.
Rajendra Pande from Tatopani rural municipality-4 informed that they were hectic in harvesting the Marsi rice following the Dashain festival. The rice planted last May is ripe now for the harvest, according to Jay Shankar Dhital, from the Sinja Valley.
Chief at District Agriculture Development Office, Balakram Devkota, however, informed that the farmers were growing attracted towards plantation of new species of rice after the indigenous variety, Marsi, witnessed diseases of late.
The rice is cultivated in 2,850 hectares of land in the district. However, the areas to cultivate Marsi rice is being decreased every year. It was planted in 1,200 hectares of land this year against 1,500 hectares last year, shared Chief Devkota.
Farmers of Guthichaur, Sinja and Tatopani rural municipalities, and Chandan Nath municipality in the district are now very busy in harvesting the Marsi rice, said locals.
A tourism entrepreneur Arjun Budha said Marsi rice has now become the choice of domestic and foreign tourists visiting their houses located in Khalanga. With the increasing demand of Marsi rice in market, it is being sent at many cities like Surkhet, Nepalgunj, Kathmandu, Pokhara and Butwal.
Kali Marsi, which is only grown in the district, has gained international repute for its properties such as distinct flavor, resistance against diseases and vectors and nutritional value.
It is said that the prized species of the rice was sent to the then Rana rulers in Kathmandu from Jumla from postal service. The legend has it that Chandannath, the deity of Jumla people, brought the Marsi rice’s seeds from Kashmir of India some 700 years ago and started paddy cultivation at Guruphokta area of Lachujeula.
Marsi rice is grown at high altitude and considered as one of the highest qualities of rice species. Agriculture experts attribute Marsi rice’s exceptional taste and quality to the cold climate of the region.The Marsi rice is brown in colour. It is harvested in the lower edge of the highland and high hills in Jumla district, according to the Agriculture Development Office.
This variety is gaining global recognition for its unique taste and nutritional benefits. It is tasty and healthy. It is said once you eat the cuisine made of this rice, you feel replete- distancing the hunger for longer time.
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