Farmers in Mayapur working to produce aromatic rice variety

Kolkata: The farmers of Chaitanya Chandradaya Agricultural Trust (CCAT) in Mayapur are producing aromatic rice which had become extinct.

A local tribal Jetha Hansda has been involved in cultivation of extinct varieties of aromatic rice such as – RadhaTilak , Kala Bhat also known as Brown rice, Red rice Dudheshwar , Hamai, Jhumpuri, Khara, Balam to name a few for more than a year.

They have been motivated and guided in this endeavour by expert scientists of Agricultural Training centre (ATC), Fulia.

According to Anupam Paul, Director of ATC, Fulia, post conducting research, the scientists believed that both the weather and land are favourable to this endeavour and they started training the local farmers and also supplied the seeds.

The cultivation is being done without using any artificial chemicals so that the genuine aroma, physical benefits of each variety of rice is intact and it causes no health hazards,

informed Paul. He said different varieties of rice being produced have multiple benefits. Specifically, Paul pointed out about Black rice which is world's most nutritive rice as it contains iron, zinc and fibre in high content.

The Glycemic index of this rice is low so it is anti-diabetic, Paul pointed out. Currently, this project is underway in 11 districts of West Bengal.

Meanwhile Jetha Hansda, Chairman of the Chaitanya Chandradaya Agricultural Trust thanked the initiative of the ATC Fulia in bringing back the glorious days of aromatic rice of West Bengal into reality.

Further, he also appealed to the Minister of Agriculture, for Rubber Huller machine to be installed by the government which will help the farmers to hull the

special varieties of rice – black rice and red rice without disturbing their nutritional and medicinal benefits.