Vantika Tech

The area of black salt paddy, emerging as a new identity of farming in Purvanchal, is likely to increase significantly this year. At present, it was being sown in an area of more than 45000 hectares in 11 districts that got the GI tag. But this time sowing is estimated in 50 thousand hectares. Agricultural scientist Prof. Ramchet Chaudhary said that after getting the 'Black Salt Rice Festival' and GI Tag, its popularity has increased rapidly. This paddy is ready in 140 days.

Chaudhary told that till 2009 it was being cultivated in 2000 hectares in Purvanchal. It has an area of more than 45000 hectares in 11 districts that have got the GI tag. Siddharthnagar has the largest area.

After the black salt paddy became dwarf, the yield increased and the farmers started coming in profit, then the area started increasing. At present, the target is to take it to 1 lakh hectare. Its price is more than Basmati rice. Therefore, farmers should start its cultivation and earn profit. The variety called Kala Namak Kiran is quite popular. Its yield is 22 quintals per acre.

Export has started

Export of black salt rice has started. In the year 2019-20, 200 quintals of rice were sent to Singapore. The people there liked it. Then 300 quintals were sent here. 20 quintals have been exported to Dubai and one quintal to Germany. Its price in export has been found at Rs 300 per kg. Therefore, to increase its production and promotion, the Black Salt Festival has been organized. Sugar is negligible in black salt rice. It has twice the protein, three times the iron and four times the zinc as compared to normal rice.

These districts have got GI tag

11 districts of Purvanchal have got Geographical Indication Tag. These include Siddharthnagar, Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Sant Kabirnagar, Bahraich, Balrampur, Kushinagar, Basti, Barabanki, Gonda and Deoria. These districts can both produce and sell black salt rice. While it has also been declared as a District One Product (ODOP) of Siddharth Nagar, Gorakhpur, Maharajganj, Basti and Santkaribar Nagar.

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