Kalanamak Rice:
The Uttar Pradesh government, in consultation with the Commerce Ministry, plans to promote the export of Kalanamak rice to countries with majority or large Buddhist populations.Kalanamak is a traditional variety of paddy with black husk and strong fragrance.
- It is considered a gift from Lord Buddha to the people of Sravasti when he visited the region after enlightenment.
- It is traditional, non-basmati aromatic rice grown in eastern Uttar Pradesh, particularly in Siddharthnagar, where it has been designated as an ODOP (one district one product) item.
- It is also grown in 11 districts of the Terai region of north-eastern Uttar Pradesh and in Nepal, the traditional variety has been prone to ‘lodging’, a reason for its low yield.
- Lodging is a condition in which the top of the plant becomes heavy because of grain formation, the stem becomes weak, and the plant falls on the ground.
- It is a nutritional powerhouse. It is rich in iron and antioxidants, has a low glycemic index, and is naturally gluten-free, making it a healthy dietary choice, especially for diabetics.
- It is protected under the Geographical Indication (GI) tag system.
