THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The food department has decided not to supply the original Jaya rice supplied by the Andhra government as it is not sure that Supplyco will even get the subsidy dues from the government for Onam market intervention. Duplicate Jaya rice is what is available now in the market centers including Supplyco. Duplicate Jaya rice comes from Punjab and Karnataka.
Jaya rice has been widely produced in the Godavari region of Andhra as per the decision of the discussion held by Food Minister GR Anil with Andhra Pradesh Food Minister Venkata Nageswara Rao in Thiruvananthapuram last November 1st. A good yield was also obtained. The state had demanded 3840 tonnes of Jaya rice per month, but only 550 quintals of rice was purchased initially. The price of rice was fixed at Rs 33.44 to Rs 34.69 per kg depending on the distance. Supplyco was selling Premium Jaya rice at Rs 37. Other rice varieties are supplied by the suppliers at an average price of Rs 30 per kg. The government is of the opinion that the price of original Jaya rice is high and it is not needed for the time being, due to economic constraints. It was when the price in the market soared to Rs 60 per kg that the state negotiated with the Andhra government and made Jaya rice available.
After 1965, Jaya rice production in Andhra declined and gradually disappeared. Crops were produced and harvested as per the requirement of Kerala from the seed that was stored earlier. Demand for Jaya rice is low in Andhra. Cultivation depends on the demand of other states.
There is no Bondalu either
When the production of Jaya rice ceased in Andhra, a variety of rice called Bondalu was brought to Kerala as Jaya rice. Bondalu cultivation has also been banned in Andhra now.
Out of stock
Supplyco is gearing up to launch Onachanthas from 18th. There is no guarantee that sufficient stock will be available by then. The government has sanctioned Rs 75 crore for market intervention. Even that has not been received yet. The food department is trying to persuade the suppliers to deliver the stock by paying an instalment of the arrear.
Original Jaya rice
Duplicate Jaya rice