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Balaghat Chinnor is a variety of non-Basmati aromatic rice mainly grown in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is a common and widely cultivated crop in tehsils of Balaghat, Baihar, Birsa, Paraswada, Katangi, Waraseoni, Lalbarra, Khairlanji, Lanji and Kirnapur of Balaghat district

Name

Balaghat Chinnor Rice is a prized crop in Balaghat and so named after it. "Chinnor" or "Chinnaur" is an acronym of the Hindi term “Chiknaiyukt Nokdaar Sugangdhit Chavur” which means Chiknaiyukt (Oily content), Nokdaar (Sharp tipped), Sugangdhit (Aromatic) and Chavur (Local name for Rice).

The word "Chinnor" (variations like "Chinnaur") has its roots in three distinct components:

1. Chi: Derived from "Chiknai Yukt," indicating the rice's high oil content.
2. Nau: Originating from "Nokdaar," meaning sharp tip, referring to the rice grain's shape.
3. R: Simply denoting "rice"

Local name

It is known as Balaghat Chinnor rice (बालाघाट चिन्नौर चावल) or simply only as Chinnor rice.

Description

Balaghat Chinnor rice is a ceremonial, traditional, aromatic, and endemic rice variety from Madhya Pradesh. It is renowned for its distinct aroma, taste, and softness, making it a staple in marriage feasts and religious ceremonies. Other features are:

Characteristics

• This variety of rice has a strong scent in both cooked and uncooked form. The cooked grains are soft, shiny, and slightly sticky. The grain shape is distinctive, with the apex resembling the tip of a sword.

Taste and Culinary Uses

• Unique taste
• Ideal for Kheer (creamy texture, distinct rice flavor, no added flavorings needed)
• Suitable for Puri, Anarsa (sweet and sour), roti, and cooked chawal (bhatt)

Cooking Properties

• This variety of rice has a quick cooking time. Additionally, it can be made into a smooth dough when mixed with warm water.

Cultural Significance

• In Balaghat temples, priests offer Chinnor Kheer as Prasad Bhog (blesses food), leveraging its aroma, sweetness, and milk-thickening properties.

By-Product

• Chinnor rice has a notable by-product with its rice bran containing a high oil content. The oil content in Chinnor rice bran is 20-21%, surpassing the 18-19% oil content found in the bran of regular rice varieties.

Geographical indication

It was awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) status tag from the Geographical Indications Registry under the Union Government of India on 14 September 2021 (valid until 2 October 2029).

Balaghat Chinnor Utpadak Sahkari Samiti Maryadit Balaghat from Waraseoni, proposed the GI registration of Balaghat Chinnor rice. After filing the application in October 2019, the rice was granted the GI tag in 2021 by the Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai, making the name "Balaghat Chinnor rice" exclusive to the rice grown in the region. It thus became the first rice variety from Madhya Pradesh and the 12th type of goods from Madhya Pradesh to earn the GI tag.

The GI tag protects the rice from illegal selling and marketing, and gives it legal protection and a unique identity.

References

1. Khan, Mohammad Imran; Bisen, Uttam; Sarvade, S.; Gautam, Kamleshwar; Bisen, Sharad; Rai, S. K.; Shrivastava, Atul (2021). "Study on Adoption of Chinnor Rice Production Technology and Constraints Faced by Farmers of Balaghat District, Madhya Pradesh". International Journal of Bio-Resource and Stress Management. 12 (5): 516–522. doi:10.23910/1.2021.2257. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
2. "Study on Adoption of Chinnor Rice Production Technology and Constraints Faced by Farmers of Balaghat District, Madhya Pradesh". ResearchGate GmbH. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
3. Service, Express News (11 July 2021). "A revolution in a rice bowl". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
4. "One district one product | District Balaghat, Government of Madhya Pradesh | India". District Administration © District Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
5. Khan, Mohammad Imran; Bisen, Uttam; Sarvade, S.; Gautam, Kamleshwar; Bisen, Sharad; Rai, S. K.; Shrivastava, Atul (31 October 2021). "Study on Adoption of Chinnor Rice Production Technology and Constraints Faced by Farmers of Balaghat District, Madhya Pradesh". International Journal of Bio-resource and Stress Management. 12 (5): 516–522. doi:10.23910/1.2021.2257. S2CID 244412503.
6. Dogra, Bharat (1991). The Life and Work of Dr. R.H. Richharia: The Eminent Rice Scientist who Struggled All His Life for Small Farmers to Protect Them from Big Business and to Preserve Their Heritage : Including the Text of an Action Plan on Rice Prepared by Dr. Richharia. B. Dogra. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
7. "Madhya Pradesh Rice Variety Known for Aroma, Taste Gets GI Tag; Eyes Global Market". News18. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
8. "How a GI tag could resuscitate a near-dead variety of rice in MP". India Today. 14 October 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
9. "बालाघाट के चिन्नौर चावल के आप हैं शौकीन तो यह खबर खासतौर से आपके लिए है..." News18 हिंदी (in Hindi). 27 December 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
10. Pradesh, India Superintendent of Census Operations, Madhya (1964). District Census Handbook, Madhya Pradesh: Balaghat. Government of Madhya Pradesh. Retrieved 21 November 2024.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
11. Pradesh (India), Madhya (1992). Madhya Pradesh: Balaghat. Government Central Press. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
12. "GOVERNMENT OF INDIA GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS JOURNAL NO. 133 MARCH 23, 2020" (PDF). Intellectual Property India. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
13. Bharat, E. T. V. (30 September 2021). "MP: Balaghat's 'Chinnor rice' gets GI tag, farmers income to increase". ETV Bharat News. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
14. "Balaghat Chinnor rice first agriculture produce in Madhya Pradesh to get GI tag". The Times of India. 1 October 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2024.

v t e Rice
History of rice cultivation
Species	African rice Asian rice
Varieties	Varieties of Asian rice Adamchini Chawal Ajara Ghansal rice Ambemohar Arborio rice Arunachal Pradesh Khaw Tai (Khamti Rice) Balaghat Chinnor Bhandara Chinoor Basmati Bhutanese red rice Bomba rice Boka Chaul Bora saul Calasparra rice Calrose rice Camargue red rice Carnaroli Champa rice Chak-Hao (Black rice) Chokuwa saul Dubraj rice Gobindobhog Golden rice IR8 Japanese rice Japonica rice Jasmati Jasmine rice Jeeraphool Joha rice Kalonunia Koraput Kalajeera Koshihikari Maratelli Marcha Matta rice Molakolukulu Mushqbudji Nàng Thơm Chợ Đào rice Navara rice Nishiki rice Patna rice Paw hsan hmwe Pokkali Ponni rice Pusa Basmati 1121 Red Cargo rice Riceberry Samba Sasanishiki Semi-dwarf IR36 Sona masuri rice Tulaipanji Uttarakhand Lal Chawal Vialone Nano Wayanad Gandhakasala Wayanad Jeerakasala Wehani rice Yamada Nishiki Varieties of African rice Carolina Gold New Rice for Africa
Characteristics	Aromatic rice Hybrid rice Perennial rice Glutinous rice Weedy rice
Processed forms	Flattened rice Puffed rice Broken rice Brown rice Red rice Black rice Germinated brown rice Parboiled rice White rice
Rice dishes	Arroz con pollo Asopao Biryani Champorado Congee Gimbap Gumbo Kabsa Lamprais Mexican rice Paella Pilaf Puto Risotto Tahchin Tuwon shinkafa Yellow rice
Decoration	Kolam

• Rice varieties
• Indian cuisine
• GI Tagged Rice varieties of India
• Rice production in India
• Economy of Madhya Pradesh
• Geographical indications in Madhya Pradesh