Context: Kalanamak, a traditional variety of paddy is all set to get a new look and name. The Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI) has successfully developed two dwarf varieties of Kalanamak rice, namely; Pusa Narendra Kalanamak 1638 and Pusa Narendra Kalanamak 1652.

• The IARI says the new name is in recognition of its association with the Acharya Narendra Dev University of Agriculture and Technology in Ayodhya, for testing the two varieties.

Key Points

• Grown in 11 districts of the Terai region of northeastern 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.

• They have been named Pusa Narendra Kalanamak 1638 and Pusa Narendra Kalanamak 1652.

• The yield of the new varieties is double that of the traditional variety.

• The traditional Kalanamak rice is protected under the Geographical Indication (GI) tag system.

• It’s recorded in the GI application that Lord Budhha gifted Kalanamak paddy to the people of Sravasti so that they remembered him by its fragrance.

About Kalanamak rice

• It is also known as Buddha Rice.

• It is one of the finest and short grain rice with an unusual black husk.

• Kalanamak is a scented rice of Nepal and India.

• Its name means black husk (kala = black; the suffix ‘namak’ means salt).

• This variety has been in cultivation since the Buddhist period (600 BC).

• It is popular in Himalayan Tarai of Nepal i.e., Kapilvastu, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, where it is known as the scented black pearl.

• Kalanamak Rice is approved for 11 districts of UP.

• Kalanamak rice is a non-basmati rice.

Health benefits

• Kalanamak rice is rich in micronutrients such as Iron and Zinc.

• Regular intake of Kalanamak rice is said to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

• It has 11% protein, almost double that of common rice varieties.

• It has low Glycemic Index (49% to 52%) making it relatively sugar Free and suitable for diabetics.