Farmers in Jumla are currently busy harvesting Marsi rice, an indigenous variety cultivated in the district. Marsi rice, known for its exceptional taste and nutritional value, is primarily grown in the cold climate of Jumla’s high-altitude regions.
Rajendra Pande from Tatopani Rural Municipality-4 shared that the farmers have been fully engaged in harvesting following the Dashain festival. According to Jay Shankar Dhital from the Sinja Valley, the rice, which was planted in May, is now ready for harvest.
However, Chief of the District Agriculture Development Office, Balakram Devkota, noted that farmers are increasingly turning to new rice varieties due to recent disease outbreaks affecting Marsi rice. Marsi is currently cultivated on 2,850 hectares of land in the district, but the area dedicated to its cultivation has been shrinking each year. This year, only 1,200 hectares were planted with Marsi, down from 1,500 hectares last year, according to Devkota.
Farmers from Guthichaur, Sinja, Tatopani Rural Municipalities, and Chandan Nath Municipality are particularly busy with the Marsi rice harvest, according to locals.
Tourism entrepreneur Arjun Budha mentioned that Marsi rice has become popular among both domestic and foreign tourists visiting Khalanga. Due to growing demand, Marsi rice is being sold in various cities, including Surkhet, Nepalgunj, Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Butwal.
Kali Marsi, a variety unique to the district, has earned international recognition for its distinctive flavor, disease resistance, and nutritional value. Historically, it is said that Marsi rice was sent to the Rana rulers in Kathmandu via postal service from Jumla. Legend has it that Chandannath, the deity of the Jumla people, brought Marsi rice seeds from Kashmir, India, around 700 years ago, and paddy cultivation began in the Guruphokta area of Lachujeula.
Marsi rice is grown at high altitudes and is considered one of the finest rice varieties. Agriculture experts attribute its exceptional taste and quality to the cold climate of the region. The rice is brown in color and is harvested in the highlands and high hills of Jumla district, according to the Agriculture Development Office.
This variety is gaining global recognition for its unique taste and nutritional benefits, with consumers praising it for its flavor and ability to keep hunger at bay for a longer time. -- RSS