Assam's red rice makes way to American markets

 | 

GUWAHATI:

The first consignment of ‘red rice’, locally referred to as 'Bao dhaan', and cultivated primarily in the Brahmaputra valley of Assam, was shipped to the USA on Thursday.

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) Chairman, M Angamuthu flagged off the export consignment from Sonipat in Haryana.

APEDA sources informed that the rice variety is rich in iron and grown without the use of any chemical fertilisers.

The variety is being sourced by leading rice exporter, LT Foods.

APEDA chairman M Angamuthu flags off the red rice consignment on Thursday.

The exports of ‘red rice’ augur well for farming families of the Brahmaputra flood plains.

APEDA has promoted rice exports through collaborations with various stakeholders in the value chains.

The government had set up the Rice Export Promotion Forum (REPF) under the aegis of the APEDA.

Rice Export Promotion Forum (REPF) has representations from the rice industry, exporters, officials from APEDA, Ministry of Commerce and Directors of Agriculture from major rice-producing States including West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.

Red rice.

The sharp spike in rice exports, especially during a phase where globally the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the supply of many commodities, has been attributed to the government taking prompt measures to ensure exports of rice while taking all the COVID-19 related safety precautions.

“We took several measures in terms of ensuring safety and hygiene because of the operational and health challenges posed by COVID19 while ensuring that rice exports continue uninterrupted,” the APEDA Chairman said.

(Edited by Ladiangti Rani)

ALSO READ:

Also Read: India to send food and medical assistance to drought-hit Madagascar