Giving a lucrative revenue source to the farmers, Uttar Pradesh has tapped the rice export market in the faraway United States of America (USA), Europe and the Gulf countries.
Kalanamak rice, the premium non-basmati rice variety grown in UP, is being shipped to England after a gap of nearly 7 decades, a state government official said here.
Moreover, for the first time Kalanamak rice consignments are also being sent to the US for the first time.
“The popularity of Kalanamak rice has surged both in India and abroad after it was included in the flagship One District, One Product (ODOP) scheme by the UP government,” he said adding 5 quintals of Kalanamak rice will be exported to England.
Another 5 quintals will be exported to the US even as export consignments have already been dispatched to countries including Nepal, Singapore, Germany, Dubai etc.
Kalanamak rice has also been accorded a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, which has further augmented its popularity. In UP, it is grown in the Siddharthnagar district.
Earlier, the central government had allowed export of 1,000 tonnes of Kalanamak raw rice from UP through six select destinations, including ports, without duty, after certification by the state government.
Currently, export of parboiled rice is allowed at a 20 percent duty, while shipment of non-basmati rice varieties is prohibited to ensure domestic availability.
Kalanamak rice is the only natural rice in the world that contains vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, offering unique health benefits.
With a higher protein and zinc content, it is beneficial for brain health and essential for body development.
Its low glycemic index (49-52 percent) makes it a healthier option for people with diabetes than other rice types.
During colonial rule, the British cultivated Kalanamak rice in their farms in India for its unique flavour and fragrance. It was also exported to England and commanded premium pricing.
Shiploads of Kalanamak rice were sent to England. However, following the abolition of the ‘zamindari’ system about seven decades ago, this trade gradually declined and ultimately ceased after India gained independence.
In addition to designating Kalanamak as the ODOP of Siddharthnagar district, the Yogi Adityanath government launched extensive branding to highlight its unique qualities.
The strategy promotion led to a remarkable increase in its cultivation area, yield and demand for Kalanamak rice, and boosting exports in recent years.
Meanwhile, Gorakhpur-based Participatory Rural Development Foundation (PRDF), an organisation focused on promoting Kalanamak rice, reported to have exported 55 tonnes to Singapore and 10 tonnes to Nepal over the past two years. The shipments were also sent to Dubai and Germany.
In the next 3-4 years, UP is targetting to increase farm exports from Rs 20,000 crore to Rs 50,000 crore by boosting productivity, food processing and reinvigorating the agro value chain.
Besides, UP is looking to constitute horticultural commodity boards on lines of the Spices Board of India to boost shipments. The Spices Board functions under the union ministry of commerce and industry to promote indigenous spices.
In UP, horticultural crops spanning fruits, vegetables, flowers, medicinal plants, spices etc are grown over an estimated 2.1 million hectares (MH) of land.
Since UP is targetting to become a $trillion economy by 2027, the government is catalysing the agro sector to generate local employment and boost rural income. Farm sector startups are also being promoted with handholding and funding by the state.