A traditional variety of colocasia, locally known as kachalu or arbi, which has been cultivated for generations in Binga village under the Dharampur sub-division of Mandi district, has achieved significant national recognition. The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority (PPVFRA), a statutory body under the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, has officially registered this unique crop under the name 'Swad Kachalu'. This major milestone was achieved through the dedicated efforts of the Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) Dharampur.
The Journey Towards National Registration
Bhupendra Singh, the secretary of FPO Dharampur, explained that this colocasia variety is a highly ancient and traditional crop of the region. It commands immense demand not only across Himachal Pradesh but also in various neighboring states. Recognizing its commercial potential and unique traits, the registration process was initiated approximately one and a half years ago. This initiative was coordinated through the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sundernagar. With the national registration now successfully completed under the name 'Swad Kachalu', the FPO aims to expand its cultivation to other parts of the Dharampur sub-division in the near future. This expansion is expected to boost overall production, improve marketing, increase sales, and directly benefit the local farming community.
What Makes the Binga Colocasia Unique?
Colocasia, commonly referred to as large arbi or kachalu, is widely cultivated and consumed in Mandi and its adjoining districts. It holds a special place in local culinary traditions, particularly during weddings and festive feasts where a popular dish called 'dum' is prepared using this vegetable. Vidya Sagar Thakur, a local farmer from Binga village, highlighted the key physical characteristic that sets their produce apart from standard varieties. Unlike the typical kachalu available in the market, which contains dense fibers, the variety grown in Binga village is completely fiber-free. This superior texture and taste have driven high demand for Binga's kachalu in local markets, a reputation that has now been validated with this national-level recognition.
Legal Protection and Agricultural Rights
Dr. Pankaj Sood, a scientist at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sundernagar, provided historical and legal context to this achievement. He noted that the central government's Ministry of Agriculture established the PPVFRA in the year 2001 specifically to protect, conserve, and promote such unique traditional crop varieties and farmers' rights. Following this official registration, the seeds of the 'Swad Kachalu' variety from Binga village cannot be used or propagated by external parties without authorization. Anyone wishing to cultivate this specific variety must now obtain prior permission from the FPO Dharampur or pay the designated royalty for using its seeds. This framework aligns with the central government's ongoing endeavors to protect indigenous agricultural products and secure economic benefits for the original farming communities.
