West Bengal’s Matir Srishti programme and three traditional aromatic rice varieties gain FAO recognition, highlighting climate-resilient farming, biodiversity conservation and strengthened rural livelihoods across the state.
In a significant boost for sustainable agriculture and rural development, Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal in India, has announced that the state’s pioneering “Matir Srishti” (Creation of Soil) initiative has received international recognition.
She has announced that three traditional aromatic rice varieties and the state’s flagship agricultural restoration programme have received international recognition from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Sharing the news on social media, Banerjee expressed her excitement and dedicated the honour to farmers and rural communities. She wrote “This is a very prestigious recognition. I am sharing the certificates sent by the FAO Director General of the United Nations with everyone. We dedicate this recognition to the people of rural Bengal and the farmers of Bengal.”
The recognition describes Matir Srishti as an important effort in conserving natural heritage and biodiversity through sustainable land management practices. Experts say the international acknowledgement reflects growing attention to locally driven climate adaptation and the preservation of traditional crop varieties to ensure long term food system resilience.
The UN food agency has granted food and cultural heritage recognition to three indigenous aromatic rice varieties Gobindobhog, Tulaipanji, and Konkochur, highlighting their unique aroma, cultural significance, and contribution to regional biodiversity.
Gobindobhog is widely cultivated across several southern districts and remains one of the most popular aromatic rice varieties in regional markets. Tulaipanji is mainly grown in northern Bengal, particularly in Uttar Dinajpur and surrounding areas. Konkochur is primarily cultivated in South 24 Parganas and nearby coastal farming regions.
Alongside the rice varieties, the state government’s Matir Srishti (Creation of Soil) initiative has also received international recognition as a model for climate resilient agriculture. Launched in 2020 to address agricultural challenges in drought prone western districts, the programme focuses on transforming barren and single crop farmland into fertile, multi crop agricultural zones.
Under the initiative, irrigation systems were expanded through pond excavation and improved water management, increasing agricultural productivity, boosting fruit and vegetable cultivation, and generating employment opportunities for rural communities. The programme has also strengthened food security and supported livelihoods among vulnerable farming households.
