Athur Kichilli Samba Rice is a traditional and heritage rice variety grown primarily in the Athur region of Tamil Nadu, India. This rice is small-grained, slender, aromatic, and known for its excellent taste and health benefits. It is part of the samba rice family, which typically takes longer to mature and has higher nutritional value than modern hybrid rice.
✅ Key Features:
Type: Traditional Samba rice
Grain: Fine, medium-length, slender
Color: Pale white or light brown (raw or boiled)
Taste: Aromatic, slightly nutty, easily digestible
Cooked Texture: Soft and fluffy
Maturity Time: ~135 days
🌱 Care Tips for Cultivating Athur Kichilli samba Rice:
1. Soil Requirements:
Prefers fertile, loamy or clayey soil with good drainage.
pH between 5.5 to 7.0 is ideal.
2. Climate:
Grows best in tropical climates.
Requires consistent water supply during its growing season.
3. Seed Treatment:
Soak seeds in organic fungicide (neem solution) before sowing.
Germinate seeds in nursery beds before transplanting.
4. Transplanting:
Transplant seedlings after 20-25 days.
Maintain spacing of 20x15 cm between plants for better yield.
5. Watering:
Requires intermittent irrigation.
Avoid overflooding; follow alternate wetting and drying (AWD) method.
6. Fertilization:
Apply organic manure or compost.
Avoid chemical fertilizers for maintaining heritage quality.
7. Weed & Pest Control:
Use hand weeding or organic weed control methods.
Apply neem-based biopesticides if needed.
8. Harvesting:
Harvest 130–135 days after sowing when grains turn golden and hard.
Dry grains thoroughly before storage.
Athur Kichilli Rice / அத்தூர் கிச்சிலி சம்பா அரிசி / अथूर किच्चिल्ली चावल / అత్తూర్ కిచ్చిల్లి బియ్యం / അത്തൂർ കിച്ചില്ലി അരി / ಅಥೂರು ಕಿಚ್ಚಿಲ್ಲಿ ಅಕ್ಕಿ
