Farmers here have started cultivating special varieties of Kalimarsi and Ratimarsi rice in Jumla.
According to the traditional practice, sprouting seeds of the rice varieties are cultivated on Chaitra 20 (which falls on April 3 this year) every year. Following the time-honored tradition, local farmers have sowed the seedlings of popular marsi rice on Wednesday this year as well.
As per the practice, the seeds of marsi kept in sacks are put in to the water for four days and subsequently cultivated in the patch of field.
Rice plantation was found to have started in Jumla since 1098 BS. With the special process of plantation, the importance of marsi variety also has gained popularity over the time.
It is also used as a medicine to heal different diseases, including diabetes. As narrated it was also being sent to royal family members in the past. The less known rice variety came to a limelight with a photo depicting Communist Party of Nepal chair duo – Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal – eating the marsi rice.
The variety has witnessed growing demand in the market. However, yields of the rice have reduced of late due to use of pesticides and drying up of water sources in high altitudinal places of Jumla.
Though Jumla was declared an organic district to preserve historical kalimarsi, its output ratio has not increased in lack of proper irrigation services.
