‘Marcha rice’ bags GI tag

The Marcha Dhan Utpadak Pragatisheel Samuh, an organization of paddy cultivators in West Champaran district, has received the geographical indication (GI) tag for the indigenous variety of paddy called Marcha Rice. This is the sixth agricultural product from Bihar to receive the GI tag. The GI tag will open up opportunities for increased production and an expanding market, including overseas, for Marcha Rice. The rice is grown in select pockets of six blocks in the district.