Farmers carry paddy from a field. A file picture

March 7: The next time you have a plateful of sweet-smelling kunkuni joha in front of you, enjoy your morsel without pausing to worry about pesticide residue on the milky white grains.

As many as 154 joha cultivators in the three districts of Darrang, Sonitpur and Lakhimpur have gone organic and already received the green signal from a government-appointed certifying and inspection agency. SGS India Pvt Ltd said last week that all samples of their produce passed the requisite organic tests.

Organic farming is about dispensing with chemicals, including fertilisers and pesticides. The emphasis is on development and maintenance of natural soil fertility to enhance and sustain yields without introducing potential health hazards.

Suitable for pulao and biryani, more than 20 varieties of joha are cultivated in Assam. However, only the kunkuni variety is being cultivated under the organic project. “This is a milestone for the state. The certificate from SGS India Pvt Ltd will help us tap the huge overseas market for organic rice,” senior agriculture development officer Bangsidhar Kalita said.

Kalita, who is in charge of the organic rice project, said it took three years of trying for the government to get the all-clear certificate for joha rice.

Praising the joha farmers for going organic, the officer said: “They deserve all the praise they can get for carefully following our instructions and sowing organic joha. As of now, only 91 hectares are under cultivation but a very good beginning has been made.”

The joha variety of rice is fine, has a wonderful aroma and is popular among those who like their grains smooth and fragrant. Exporters have already started enquiring about the organic variety of joha. A tie-up has been arranged with Green Valley Rice Tech Pvt Ltd in north Guwahati to prepare the rice for export.

“We are hopeful of joha being accepted worldwide. Our aim should be to maintain quality and tap the huge organic market,” Bidyut Baruah, regional manager of the Guwahati-based Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, said.

Over 17,000 hectares in Assam are under joha cultivation and productivity ranges between 1.50 to 1.75 metric tonnes per hectare. The total estimated production of joha is 30,961 metric tonnes.