Recently, two farmers in South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal are betting on the pokkali number of rice from Kerala to tide over a crisis-like scenario created by extreme seawater incursion into paddy fields in huge areas of the Sundarbans after the cyclone Amphan hit West Bengal.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz 2020
Key-Points
The pokkali variety of rice is known for its saltwater resistance and flourishes in the rice paddies of coastal Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts of Kerala.
The uniqueness of the rice has brought it the Geographical Indication (GI) tag and is the subject of continuing research.
Several foreign research institutes, including the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines, have been studying pokkali’s gene pools and have identified a portion of DNA on one of its chromosomes that is crucial for salt tolerance.
Given its ability to thrive under harsh climatic conditions and produce high yield, it can help in promoting climate-resilient agriculture.
Pokkali has medicinal properties and its higher value of antioxidants and low carbohydrate content makes it preferable to those on a low sugar diet.