There’s something Assamese on USA’s lunch menu
The first consignment of red rice from Assam was flagged off to the USA today
ROOPAK GOSWAMI
Guwahati, March 5: The Assamese red rice will soon be a part of lunch and dinner plates in the USA.
The first consignment of red rice from Assam was flagged off to the USA today.
Iron rich red rice is grown in Brahmaputra valley of Assam, without the use of any chemical fertilizer.
Flagging off ceremony of red rice
The red rice is being sourced by leading rice exporter – LT Foods. The flagging off ceremony of the export consignments was carried out by APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) chairman Dr M. Angamuthu at Sonepat, Haryana.
Red rice exports to enhance farmers’ income
As the exports of red rice grow, it would enhance incomes of farming families of the Brahmaputra flood plains.
LT Foods is a 70-year-old consumer food company delivering quality rice and rice based food brands, providing taste and nutrition in more than 60 countries.
The company has consolidated revenue of around Rs. 4,184 crore as on FY20.
Bao-dhaan
The rice variety is referred as Bao-dhaan, which is an integral part of Assamese food.
Deep Water Rice, popularly known as Bao Dhan, includes traditional rice landraces generally grown in low, swampy lands and flood-prone areas with water stagnation beyond 50 cm height that remains for periods of 2–6 months in their growing season.
DWR displays stem elongation and/or tolerance to submergence along with kneeing abilityupon receding flood waters.
Deep Water Rice cultivation
According to conservative estimates, Assam has around 100,000 hectares of area under DWR cultivation.
Though the state has other DWR varieties, Bao Dhan being organic in nature has high nutritional value in comparison to other improved rice varieties.
APEDA has promoted rice exports through collaborations with various stakeholders in the value chains.
Rice Export Promotion Forum
The government had set up the Rice Export Promotion Forum (REPF), under the aegis of the APEDA.
REPF has representations from rice industry, exporters, officials from APEDA, ministry of commerce and directors of agriculture from major rice producing states, including West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
Rise in shipment of non-Basmati rice
During the April–January period of 2020-21, the shipment of non-Basmati rice witnessed an impressive spike.
The non-basmati rice exports was Rs 26,058 crore (3506 US$ Million) duringApril-January, 2021 against Rs 11,543 crore (1627US$ Million) reported during April-January, 2020 period.
The exports of non-Basmati witnessed a growth of 125 % in Rupee terms and 115 % Dollar terms.
The sharp spike in rice exports especially during a phase where globally the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted supply changes many commodities, has been attributed to the government taking prompt measures to ensure exports of rice while taking all the COVID-19 related safety precautions.
“We took several measures in terms of ensuring safety and hygiene because of the operational and health challenges posed by COVID19, while ensuring that rice exports continue uninterrupted,” M. Angamuthu, the chairman, APEDA said.