The Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI) has successfully developed two dwarf kinds of Kalanamak rice, known as Pusa Narendra Kalanamak 1638 and Pusa Narendra Kalanamak 1652.
What is Kalanamak?
The traditional rice variety kalanamak has a strong smell and a black husk.
The rice is regarded as a gift from Lord Buddha to the Sravasti people when he traveled there after attaining enlightenment.
Currently, it is grown in Nepal and 11 districts in the Terai region of northeastern Uttar Pradesh (specifically Kapilvastu).
This rice can help prevent Alzheimer’s since it is high in micronutrients like iron and zinc. Additionally, it has 11% protein, which is nearly twice as much as typical rice kinds.
In 2013, Siddharthnagar and the surrounding districts were recognized for the Geographical Indication(GI) tag that was given to this rice.
It has received the Prime Minister’s award for Excellence in Public Administration 2021 under the One District One Product (ODOP) Scheme.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations included it in the book “Speciality Rices of the World.”
What issues does Kalanamak rice have?
One of the factors contributing to Kalanamak’s low yield is that it has a history of lodging.
When a plant lodgings, the stem weakens, the top of the plant becomes heavy from grain production, and the plant collapses to the ground.
What have scientists developed?
The Pusa Narendra Kalanamak 1638 and Pusa Narendra Kalanamak 1652 dwarf varieties of Kalanamak rice were successfully created by the Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI).
The yield of the conventional Kalanamak paddy is only two to 2.5 tonnes per acre. These new kinds produce twice as much as the conventional variety in terms of yield.
News Mania Desk
