Kada is the red rice of Gujarat, originating from the Valsad and Dang districts. It is a relatively unknown rice, even within Gujarat, but deeply rooted in the cultures that grow it in remote pockets of South Gujarat. The rice is salt tolerant; hence, it grows well through the coastal parts of the Valsad district. “It is a delicate but nutritious rice variety. Eating table rice made with Kada was rare as it broke easily when hand-pounded and took multiple rounds to shed off the husk. Poor farmers growing Kada could not afford such wastage, so Khichri, Kanji/Pejiyu were best suited for this rice,” Dakshaben, farmer, entrepreneur, and founder of Waghai-based Ambika Turmeric Farm, had shared in a personal conversation.
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Description
THE CULTURAL & ECOLOGICAL LIFE OF THIS RICE
Kada is a very sturdy rice variety to grow. The southern districts of Gujarat are rain-blessed regions, it is these climatic conditions that work in favor of Kada which does not require waterlogged fields but a continuous drizzle. Planting begins in July, and the crop is harvested before Diwali as it has a 90- 100-day maturity cycle. While the rice is red, the paddy is golden. Kada is a very aromatic medium-sized stubby grain.
NUTRITIONAL AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
- Shri A. R. Pathak, the ex-vice Chancellor of both Anand and Navsari Agriculture University, mentioned in a conversation that in the studies conducted at the university, the Kada rice was found to be rich in iron and zinc.
CULINARY USES
- More than anywhere in Gujarat, the South Gujarat-based communities celebrate Kada rice the most; it is part of agrarian festivals and rituals.
- The Anavil Brahmin community insists on making khichri and Doodhpak on the festivals of Nag Pacham and Noli Nom.
- The tribals have always preferred starchy and aromatic Kada to make Kanji/Pej from grits and rotla/flatbread from the flour that results from hand-pounding this rice.
WHO GROWS THIS RICE & WHERE CAN I BUY?
- Ambika Haldar Farm – a woman-led enterprise supporting women, small and marginal farmers of Dangs. Contact number +917201980010
SOURCES & FURTHER READING
N/A
Additional information
| Region of Origin | West |
|---|---|
| Grain Shape | medium |
| Grain Colour | Red |
| Fragrance | Strong aroma |
