The Kalanamak rice variety has been selected by Siddharthnagar district in Uttar Pradesh, India, to represent the “One District One Product (ODOP)” initiative under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan campaign. This aligns with the government’s action plan to enhance rice productivity and preserve its aroma. Additionally, Kalanamak rice holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Siddharthnagar and ten surrounding districts—Gorakhpur, Deoria, Kushinagar, Maharajganj, Santkabirnagar, Basti, Bahraich, Balrampur, Gonda, and Shravasti—that share similar agro-climatic conditions

The Uttar Pradesh government aims to promote, export, and harness the potential of the Kalanamak rice variety, particularly in Buddhist countries. This 2,600-year-old traditional rice, often called the “Black Pearl” of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, is deeply tied to Lord Buddha and Buddhism. Legend has it that Lord Buddha gave the red-husked Kalanamak seed to his followers with a blessing: “It will give fragrance to their lives and always remind people of me.” As a result, it is known as ‘Buddha ka Mahaprasad’ (Offering of Lord Buddha).

Kalanamak rice is praised for its exceptional nutritional value and aromatic quality. Its milled rice is white and falls under the medium, slender grain category, while the cooked rice is soft, easily digestible, and offers a unique blend of taste, aroma, and texture, along with better elongation and a longer shelf life.

To promote and market the rice, the Uttar Pradesh government organized a three-day festival, the Kalanamak Mahotsav, held from March 13-15 as part of the broader Kapilvastu Mahotsav in Siddharthnagar district. The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) participated as a research and knowledge partner, supporting the government’s efforts to popularize Kalanamak rice under the ODOP scheme.

At the festival, IRRI set up an exhibition stall to showcase ongoing research and products developed by the Centre for Excellence in Rice Value Addition using Kalanamak rice. They also provided technical information to farmers. Gluten-free cookies made from Kalanamak and Chandauli black rice flour were offered to attendees, including the Minister of Agriculture (State) of India, Kailash Choudhary, and Member of Parliament for Domariyaganj, Jagdambika Pal. Both expressed their appreciation for IRRI’s contributions to rice value addition and product development.

During the inaugural ceremony of the Kalanamak Mahotsav, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath emphasized the importance of promoting the scientific and sustainable production of Kalanamak rice in the Geographical Indication (GI) areas. He highlighted the need to create a market for the rice to boost farmers’ incomes. The Chief Minister also addressed the challenges faced by farmers in cultivating and marketing Kalanamak rice, and discussed the actions being taken by the state government to resolve these issues. He announced plans to establish a research facility and a common facility center to support farmers and other stakeholders in overcoming these historic challenges. Additionally, he expressed hope for continued support from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) for Kalanamak and black rice, noting that IRRI had already provided strong support to Chandauli district in black rice cultivation.

Deepak Meena, IAS, District Magistrate of Siddharthnagar, discussed the potential for collaboration with IRRI on research related to Kalanamak rice. He proposed setting up a robust seed system and providing capacity development support to farmers in the district.

Recently, IRRI was granted two projects. One, from the Ministry of MSME under the ODOP scheme, focuses on identifying the best Kalanamak accession with superior aroma, developing the seed system, and enhancing technical knowledge among relevant stakeholders. The second project, from the Uttar Pradesh Council of Agricultural Research (UPCAR), aims to enhance the rice-based cropping system in Siddharthnagar district. The Kalanamak Mahotsav provided an excellent opportunity to better understand the growing conditions of the variety and identify the challenges faced by farmers, along with suitable solutions.

On the final day of the event, March 15, IRRI hosted a three-hour technical session to discuss research on grain quality, organic farming, zero-budget natural farming, breeding, nutrient management, and scale-appropriate mechanization to improve premium rice varieties. Dr. Sudhanshu Singh, Director of IRRI SARC, provided an overview of IRRI and its regional center in Varanasi, explaining how IRRI SARC could contribute to doubling farmers’ incomes. He stated that 50 per cent of the rice varieties currently under cultivation had been developed by IRRI and emphasized that Kalanamak, a premium rice variety, was a source of pride for Poorvanchal. Dr. Singh further noted that IRRI’s global presence could help expand Kalanamak’s market, particularly in Buddhist countries. He also mentioned that IRRI SARC was working on rice varieties with better resilience to abiotic stresses, low glycemic index, and enhanced nutritional value.

Gopesh Tiwari, Head of IRRI Education, shared insights on how IRRI SARC will collaborate with Acharya Narendra Deva University and the local Agriculture Department to enhance the livelihoods of farmers involved in Kalanamak rice cultivation through a proposed project under the ODOP scheme. Other IRRI experts, including Dr. B.P. Singh, Dr. Vivek Kumar Singh, Dr. Ajay Kumar Mishra, Dr. Ashutosh Rai, Dr. Ashish Kumar Srivastava, and Dr. Ajay Kumar Mishra, also presented on various aspects of rice research. Their discussions covered key topics such as the role of farmers’ producer organizations (FPOs) in addressing agricultural challenges, the findings of the CERVA Lab at IRRI SARC on the nutritional qualities of rice, the importance of evidence-based evaluations of natural farming systems, breeding work for Kalanamak rice improvements, the impact of different nutrients on grain quality, and advancements in mechanization and postharvest technologies.

The three-day Kalanamak Mahotsav was a unique event that brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, traders, exporters, government agencies, and farmers, providing a platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing.