Scented rice on revival route,set to outshine basmati

It is said to surpass all qualities of basmati except the length of the latter. But surprisingly,Kalanamak,a fragrant variety of rice and named thus as its husk is black,isnt popular among farmers....

It is said to surpass all qualities of basmati except the length of the latter. But surprisingly,Kalanamak,a fragrant variety of rice and named thus as its husk is black,isnt popular among farmers. Once much favoured in Uttar Pradesh,the rice was almost extinct till a Lucknow-based scientist took it upon himself to revive the lost variety.

Over the past few years,R K Singh has introduced the farmers of Siddharthnagar,Mau,Sant Kabirnagar and Azamgarh in eastern UP to Kalanamak,which is a tall 135-145 cm,long duration 160-170 days and photosensitive variety.

Kalanamak has now even begun to command good price in the local markets of these districts.

In these four districts,Singh,under the banner of NEFORD Nand Educational Foundation for Rural Development,has so far organised over 100 demonstrations to promote organic farming of Kalanamak.

This variety is highly suitable for organic farming as its nitrogen requirement is quite low. There can be a good yield of the rice with the help of green manure or farmyard manure and without any use of chemical fertilisers, says Singh.

The normal yield is one tonne per hectare. But with organic farming,the yield has gone up to 2.5 tonnes to 3 tonnes per hectare, said Singh,adding that though this is less than other varieties of rice,farmers earn more per hectare.

Besides,Kalanamak is less prone to diseases and pests as compared to other aromatic and non-aromatic rice varieties.

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NEFORD also organises programmes like A walk through rice fields or Seeing is believing,in which farmers are taken to nearby villages where Kalanamak is being grown through organic farming.

The next challenge before NEFORD is to enhance the market for Kalanamak so that its demand increases in the local as well as international markets.

Talks in this regard are underway with Rice Exporters Association,which works in coordination with the government. The association also supports research and has,therefore,given a grant to Indian Agriculture Research Institute,Pusa,to study indigenous varieties of scented rice. In May 2008,NEFORD was also granted a project by TIFAC,Department of Science amp; Technology,Government of India,with the objective of promotion of cultivation and trade of Kalanamak in India and abroad.

The project,titledEnhancing income of farmers by cultivation of scented rice Kalanamak in eastern UP,is being implemented in Siddharthnagar,Sant kabirnagar and nearby areas.