Context:

According to the UNDP’s latest appraisal report, Chandauli is one of India’s four most progressed districts under the Aspirational Districts. The Black rice has earned UP’s Chandauli big United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) praise and good profit.

About the Black rice

• Black rice is of Chinese origin and is known as ‘forbidden rice’.
• In ancient China, it is believed to be exclusive for royal consumption.
• In India, black rice or chak-hao (delicious rice) is indigenous to Manipur for centuries.
• Manipur was also awarded the GI tag for black rice.
• Its production across the country is mooted due to better price realization, growing international demand, and health benefits.
• The Black color of the rice is due to a compound called ‘anthocyanins’.
• Benefits: Anthocyanins also give it powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties.
• It also contains important carotenoids which are known for improving eye health.
• It is naturally gluten-free.
• It is rich in Protein, Iron, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, and natural fiber.
• It promotes weight loss and is a natural detoxifier.
• Its consumption helps in the prevention of ailments such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, hypertension, among others.

Production of Black rice in India

• Chandauli started producing the ‘healthier’ black rice in 2018.
• It is being exported to Australia and New Zealand.
• It was exported to the neighboring district of Mirzapur as ‘Vindhya black rice’.
• Its cultivation is promoted in India under various schemes
• One District-One Product’
• Export Policy 2020-25’
• Simdega (Jharkhand), Sonbhadra (Uttar Pradesh), and Rajgarh (Madhya Pradesh) are areas that also produce it.

Different other types of Rice

• Brown rice is whole grain rice with the inedible outer husk is removed. Brown rice is a whole grain and a good source of magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, thiamine, niacin, vitamin B6, and manganese, and is high in fiber.
• Red rice is a variety of rice that is colored red by its anthocyanin content. It is usually eaten unhulled or partially hulled and has a red husk.
• Gold rice is commonly known as African rice.