AntoineScaby at 22:30, 20 December 2025

2025-12-20T22:30:54Z

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{{Short description|Type of non-Basmati aromatic rice from Bihar, India}}
{{Infobox geographical indication
| name = Marcha rice (मर्चा चावल)
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| alternative names = Mircha, Marchaiya, and Maricha
| description =Marcha rice is an aromatic rice cultivated in [[Bihar]]
| type =[[Aromatic rice]]
| area = West Champaran district
| country = [[India]]
| registered = 31 July 2023
| material =
| official website ={{URL|https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GirPublic/Application/Details/801|ipindia.gov.in}}}}

'''Marcha rice''' is a variety of non-[[Basmati]], short-grained aromatic [[rice]] mainly grown in the [[State of India|Indian state]] of [[Bihar]]. It is a common and widely cultivated crop in Ramnagar, Gaunaha, Mainatand, [[Chanpatia|Chanpatiya]], [[Narkatiaganj|Narkatiyaganj]] and [[Lauria Nandangarh|Lauriya]] blocks of [[West Champaran district]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jan 18 |first1=PTILast Updated |title=Bihar to launch conservation plan to protect 'Marcha rice', 'Govind Bhog', 'Sona Chur' |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/bihar-to-launch-conservation-plan-to-protect-marcha-rice-govind-bhog-sona-chur/articleshow/97084141.cms?from=mdr |access-date=24 November 2024 |work=The Economic Times |date=18 January 2023}}</ref>

Under its [[Geographical Indications in India|Geographical Indication]] tag, it is referred to as "Marcha Rice".<ref name=":0" />

==Name==
The name "Marcha" is derived from the grain's resemblance to black pepper as in the state language of [[Hindi]], pepper is called Marcha (मर्चा चावल).<ref>{{cite news |title=Bihar Most Expensive Rice: बिहार में उगाए जाने वाले इन 6 चावलों की कीमत उड़ा देगी आपके होश, स्वाद और सुगंध में नहीं है कोई जोड़ |url=https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/india/bihar-jharkhand/patna/photo-gallery-bihar-these-famous-magic-sticky-govind-bhog-sonachur-katarni-marcha-rice-price-taste-fragrance-will-amaze-you/2461601 |access-date=24 November 2024 |work=Zee News |language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=GI Tag: बिहार के मर्चा धान को मिल गया जीआई टैग, किसानों को मिलेगा फायदा |url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/business/bihar-s-aromatic-marcha-rice-gets-gi-tag-7730527.html |access-date=24 November 2024 |work=News18 हिंदी |date=8 October 2023 |language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bihar's aromatic 'Marcha Rice' gets GI tag |url=https://agriexchange.apeda.gov.in/news/NewsSearch.aspx?newsid=49886#:~:text=Bihar's%20aromatic%20'Marcha%20Rice'%20gets%20GI%20tag.&text=Bihar's%20famous%20'Marcha%20Rice'%20which,West%20Champaran%20district%20of%20Bihar. |website=Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) (Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India) |access-date=24 November 2024}}</ref> It is also locally known as Mircha, Marchaiya, and Maricha.

==Description==
List of characteristics and facts about Marcha Rice:<ref>{{cite news |title=Thanks to agri varsity experts, 'Marcha' rice of Bihar's West Champaran may get GI tag |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/thanks-to-agri-varsity-experts-marcha-rice-may-get-gi-tag/articleshow/96072520.cms |access-date=24 November 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=8 December 2022}}</ref>

===Characteristics===
* This rice variety has a unique aroma in plants, grains, and flakes. It offers palatability and produces high-quality aromatic rice flakes which are soft and sweet. The husk is dark brown and the grain shape is oval, short and bold, with a 100-grain weight of 1.6-2.2g. The crop has a pale-green color, broader leaves and more vigorous growth.

===Cultivation===
* This rice variety is suitable for clay and clay loam soil, and uses organic manures for nutrients.

===Agro-climatic Impact===
* This rice variety develops a unique aroma due to specific agro-climatic conditions, particularly in blocks along the [[Budhi Gandaki River|Budhi-Gandak]] (Sikarahna) River. The soil is enriched with minerals from runoff water from the [[Himalayas|Himalayan]] terrain enriches the soil with minerals. A microclimate with low temperatures during October-November enhances aroma development. The aroma is present in the field from the seedling to the flowering stage.

===Disease Resistance===
* No major disease infestation recorded in Marcha rice.

==Geographical indication==
It was awarded the [[List of geographical indications in India|Geographical Indication]] (GI) status tag from the [[Geographical Indication Registry (India)|Geographical Indications Registry]], under the [[Government of India|Union Government of India]], on 31 July 2023 and is valid until 28 November 2031.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bihar's aromatic 'Marcha Rice' gets GI tag |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/bihar-s-aromatic-marcha-rice-gets-gi-tag-1207059.html |access-date=24 November 2024 |work=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Marcha Rice |url=https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GIRPublic/Application/Details/801 |website=Intellectual Property India |access-date=24 November 2024}}</ref>

Marcha Dhan Utpadak Pragatisheel Samuh from Mainatand, proposed the GI registration of Marcha rice. After filing the application in November 2021, the rice was granted the GI tag in 2023 by the Geographical Indication Registry in [[Chennai]], making the name "Marcha rice" exclusive to the rice grown in the region.<ref>{{cite news |title='Marcha rice' bags GI tag |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/marcha-rice-bags-gi-tag/articleshow/104249769.cms |access-date=24 November 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=8 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Bihar's aromatic 'Marcha Rice' gets GI tag |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/bihars-aromatic-marcha-rice-gets-gi-tag/articleshow/99274910.cms?from=mdr |access-date=24 November 2024 |work=The Economic Times |date=5 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle/food/news/bihar-diwas-2024-marcha-rice-to-silao-khaja-7-gi-tagged-foods-from-the-state-article-108694520 |access-date=24 November 2024 |title=Bihar Diwas 2024 - Marcha Rice to Silao Khaja, 7 GI-Tagged Foods from the State |date=22 March 2024 }}</ref> It thus became the second rice variety from Bihar after [[Katarni rice]] and the 23rd type of goods from Bihar to earn the GI tag. The GI tag protects the rice from illegal selling and marketing, and gives it legal protection and a unique identity.

==See also==
* [[Magahi Paan]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Bihar}}
{{Varieties of rice}}

[[Category:Rice varieties]]
[[Category:Indian cuisine]]
[[Category:GI Tagged Rice varieties of India]]
[[Category:Rice production in India]]
[[Category:Economy of Bihar]]
[[Category:Agriculture in Bihar]]
[[Category:Geographical indications in Bihar]]

Marcha rice - Revision history

AntoineScaby at 22:30, 20 December 2025