Jethobudho

Jethobudho is a traditional rice landrace of Pokhara cherished for its aroma, softness, and taste. Elders recall how its distinct fragrance permeated the neighbourhood when someone cooks Jethobudho. Over time, as is typical with old varieties, local connoisseurs and consumers noted undesirable variability in the quality of Jethobudho.

LI-BIRD and NARC, in partnership with farmers of Kaski, screened the diverging population of Jethobudho to select the best lines with consistent aroma, quality, and better tolerance of diseases in the field. In 2006, the enhanced Jethobudho was formally released as “Pokhareli Jethobudho” becoming the first bulk variety of high-quality rice to be developed through participatory plant breeding in Nepal. Thanks to this effort, consumers today can continue to enjoy the unmistakable aroma and taste of Jethobudho just as the generations before them.