India has a rich tradition of growing different varieties of rice across its regions. Several of these rice varieties have received Geographical Indication or GI. The official GI Registry lists rice varieties from states and regions including Kerala, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Odisha, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Keep reading to know in detail.
What Is a GI Tag?
GI stands for Geographical Indication. It identifies products associated with a particular geographical region. GI registration provides legal protection to the geographical name.
Which Indian Rice Varieties Have GI Tags?
Some of the registered GI-tagged rice varieties include:
| Variety of Rice | State / Region |
| Basmati Rice | Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir |
| Navara Rice | Kerala |
| Palakkadan Matta Rice | Kerala |
| Pokkali Rice | Kerala |
| Wayanad Jeerakasala Rice | Kerala |
| Wayanad Gandhakasala Rice | Kerala |
| Kaipad Rice | Kerala |
| Joha Rice of Assam | Assam |
| Boka Chaul | Assam |
| Chokuwa Rice of Assam | Assam |
| Tulaipanji Rice | West Bengal |
| Gobindabhog Rice | West Bengal |
| Radhunipagal Rice | West Bengal |
| Kalanamak Rice | Uttar Pradesh |
| Adamchini Chawal | Uttar Pradesh |
| Katarni Rice | Bihar |
| Marcha Rice | Bihar |
| Bhagalpuri Malbhog Rice | Bihar |
| Ajara Ghansal Rice | Maharashtra |
| Ambemohar Rice | Maharashtra |
| Bhandara Chinoor Rice | Maharashtra |
| Seeraga Samba Rice | Tamil Nadu |
| Ramanadu Chithiraikar Rice | Tamil Nadu |
| Chak-Hao | Manipur and Nagaland |
| Koraput Kalajeera Rice | Odisha |
| Japonica Red Rice | Goa |
| Seoni Jeera Shankar Rice | Madhya Pradesh |
| Jeeraphool | Chhattisgarh |
| Tripura Binni (Guria) Rice | Tripura |
| Tripura Kali Khasa Rice | Tripura |
| Tripura Brown Rice | Tripura |
| Tripura Harinarayan Rice | Tripura |
| Arunachal Pradesh Khaw Tai (Khamti Rice) | Arunachal Pradesh |
| Andaman Karen Musley Rice | Andaman and Nicobar Islands |
Which State Has Several GI-Tagged Rice Varieties?
Kerala has several registered rice GIs. These include Navara Rice, Palakkadan Matta Rice, Pokkali Rice, Wayanad Jeerakasala Rice, Wayanad Gandhakasala Rice and Kaipad Rice.
Which GI-Tagged Rice Comes From Uttar Pradesh?
Kalanamak Rice is a GI-tagged rice from Uttar Pradesh. Its official GI registration is under the name Kalanamak. Adamchini Chawal (Rice) is another registered GI from Uttar Pradesh.