Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha that there is an increase in export of Kalanamak rice in international markets and rise in demand in the country.

Currently, Kalanamak rice is exported to countries like Singapore and Nepal. Also, it is available on e-marketplaces like Amazon, Flipkart and One District One product (ODOP) e-market.  

What is Kalanamak rice?

• Kalanamak rice is one of the finest quality scented rice of Uttar Pradesh. 

• The name ‘Kalanamak’ has been derived due to its black husk (kala means black, namak means salt). 

• It is also known as the scented black pearl in eastern Uttar Pradesh. 

• It is famous for its taste, palatability and aroma. 

• Kalanamak rice has been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

• Evidence indicates that Kalanamak rice has been cultivated in Siddharth Nagar from or even before the Buddhist period (600 BC). 

• According to the GI registry journal, the grains were found from excavation of Aligarhwa (Siddharth Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh), located at Nepal border.

• Aligarhwa has been identified as Kapilvastu, the kingdom of King Shuddodhan, father of Lord Buddha. Aligarhwa in the foothills of the Himalayas is considered the paddy bowl. During excavation carbonized rice grains resembling Kalanamak Rice were recovered from one of the rooms, which was supposed to be the kitchen store. 

• In order to promote the production, processing, packaging, and branding of Kalanamak rice, the Uttar Pradesh government has declared it as the One District One Product (ODOP) of Siddharth Nagar whereas the central government has announced it as the ODOP of Basti, Gorakhpur, Maharajganj and Sant Kabir Nagar as well.

• Also known as ‘Buddha ka Mahaprasad’ (an offering to Lord Buddha), the rice has been rebranded as ‘Buddha Rice’ in order to promote it in Buddhist countries.

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