Rice is the second highest grown crop all over the world and is the highest consumed grain by humans. Anually over 700 million tons of rice is produced all over with Asia alone producing 92% of the total rice. India today produces about 130 million tons of rice per annum and its famous Basmati variety is considered the best rice variety world over. But little do people know that once upon a time India had a staggering 1,25,000 varieties of rice, with a new variety found in every 2-3 KM. Rice, which is the staple diet of India, was more than just food. Various locally grown varities of rice would have medicinal benifits, thus eliminating the need for any dietary suppliments. Unfortunatly due to commercial interests, most farmers in India today grow only a few varities, leading to mass extinction of this rare gift of nature.
In an attempt to preserve these rare varieites, last season the GEV agriculture team set out into the interiors of Maharashtra, hunting for native seeds of rare rice. Their first destination was to Saguna bagh, an organic farm in Karjat. Mr Chandrasekhar Bhadsavle set up this farm to fulfil his father dream of inspiring people to turn back to farming profession and learn to live off the land. There the GEV team found a very special variety of rice - Govinda Bhoga! Popular in West Bengal, this traditional variety of rice comes with a very fragrant scent and with many medicinal properties. It is rich in vitamin B and its fiberous nature makes it healthy for the body. It also contains antioxidants that naturally keep the body healthy and helps fight diseases. Govinda Bhoga rice was used in many traditional Indian recipies, but it is popularly used in making Kheer or Sweet rice(see inset for recipe). Its natural purple color adds a royal look to the preperation.
Rice is best when comsumed unpolished, for it retains all the nutrients deposited in it naturally. When grown organically, the nutrient content increases and it keeps it free from any chemical residues. Organic rice is rich in fatty acids and are a natural health food for the body. So the next time you eat rice, eat organic eat wise.
Last Updated (Sunday, 20 February 2011 10:54)
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