GOALPARA, Dec 14 - Black rice, an exotic variety which is also known as forbidden rice in China has hogged the limelight in Goalpara district since 1300 kgs of it were produced in 2013 by a progressive farmer Upendra Rabha of Amguripara village, Krishnai. This pioneering effort of Upendra Rabha, who introduced the cultivation of black rice in the area has been highly influential in bringing about various changes in the rural society.
�Scripting a succes story was by no means easy for Rabha who had a very modest beginning�, said Incharge Programme Coordinator, KVK Goalpara Dr Hitu Choudhury when in 2011 the Krishi Vighyan Kendra (KVK), Goalpara had given one kg of black rice seed to him for cultivation, out of which only one seedling germinated producing a harvest of 150 gm black rice and in the subsequent year, he used the whole 150 gm black rice seed and produced 47 kg rice. But his unwavering resolve has earned him many accolades and this rice is named after him as �Upendra rice.�
Dr Choudhury added that black rice has gained popularity not only in Assam but also outside the State and its deep black colour, which usually turns deep purple when cooked is due to its higher anthocyanin content and is suitable for making porridge (breakfast items) and can also be used for making sweet dishes. Moreover, it is high in nutritional value and contains 18 amino acids, iron, zinc, copper, carotin and several important vitamins. Black rice is claimed to be good for kidney and liver. Anthcyanin and vitamin E are the antioxidants found in black rice.
Dr Choudhury further informed that gradually, this rice is becoming popular in Goalpara and in different parts of Assam as well. Under the guidance of the Department of Agriculture, Goalpara and Agricultural Technology Management Agency, (ATMA) and KVK which also collaborated for augmenting the area of cultivation of black rice, a society named as �Amguripara Black Rice Producers Society� has been formed to look after the cultivation practices and marketing of black rice with advice from technical experts.
KVK sources said that last year the society cultivated black rice in 500 bighas of land while they have taken up 1500 bighas of land for cultivation this year and the KVK Goalpara also conducted a Front Line Demonstration covering 75 bighas of land for black rice cultivation using standard technical methods. Recently, an impressive field programme was organised on the day of harvesting at Amguri village which was attended by officials from KVK, Dept of Agriculture and district administration who all praised the novel efforts of the local farmers of the area and urged them to expand the area under cultivation.