What is black rice ?
Black rice or forbidden rice is very rare and old variety of rice which is now emerging as a cultivated species inindia.The name black rice is due to its colour.Black rice also known as purple rice is a range of rice types of the species Oryza sativa L.
CLIMATIC CONDITION -It can be grown in any time of the year like kharif or rabi depend upon its varieties. The variety like KALABATI (localvarietyofodisha)can be grown only once in a year in kharif season.While manipuri black rice CHAKHAO can be grown twice as well as thrice in a year due to its shorter duration.
VARIETIES -Kalabati is the most common black rice variety grown in Odisha and North India. Rather than this many varieties like swabhiman,manipuriblackrice etc are available for cultivation.
TIME -Generally transplanted in June and July and harvested in January and February. DURATION-Kalabati variety is having 5 month duration however it depends upon the type of variety we are using.
TRANSPLANTING -It is transplanted in SRI method or raw transplanting.The traditional method of transplanting is not economicall.
SEED RATE -5 kg per acre under SRI.Seedlings are transplanted(25cm×25cm)to maintain 64000 plant population per acre. In traditional method 30 to 40 kg seeds required per acre of land.GROWING CONDITION -Small dosage of biopesticides and biofertilizer are applied. Application of urea is harmful to this crop as height increases upto 5 to 6feet.No chemical fertilizer or pesticide should be applied in the field.
INSECT, PEST AND DISEASES -Due to its purplish and black color leaves insects are less attracted.Black rice is highly tolerant to all kind of diseases and minimum losses occurs through this.
YIELD -Yield is comparatively low that is12to15 quintal per acre but has a high value in the market and high cost benefit ratio.Meanwhile it is good for own consumption and has inumerable health benefits.
Only organic ?
This variety is only grown under Organic management practices with a small dosage of biofertilizers and biopesticides. Application of UREA (NITROGEN FERTILIZER) is observed harmful to this crop as the height is upto minimum 5-6feet.
Benefits of Black Rice : It has rich in antioxidants.The outer most layer of the grain(the bran and the hull),contains immense amounts of antioxidant-anthocyanin.Anthocyanin can help prevent cardiovascular disease, restricting free radical movements which can cause variety of diseases like diabetes and even cancer. It can also help improve brain function and reduce inflammation .Natural Detoxifier.The phyto nutrients present in black rice help clean sethe body of disease causing toxins.Good Source of Fiber.The black rice has about 3grams of fiber per half cup serving. This rich fibre content helps regulate the bowel movements, prevent constipation, diarrhea andbloating.Preventing Risk of Diabetes.To ward off the risk of diabetes and obesity, it is advised to consume whole grains instead of just refined carbohydrates. The entire bran of the grain is where the all the fiber is stored in the black rice. The fibre is able to help glucose (sugar) from the grain to be absorbed by the body over a longer duration of time, (Since fibre take the longest to digest), thereby maintaining consistent sugar levels.Preventing Risk of ObesityFor people battling obesity, black rice is the best variant of rice to consume. Full of fibre, black rice not only gives you the feeling of being full, thus preventing overeating.Richer Protein Content.Proteins are very essential in building muscles,and cutting down on excess weight.Better Heart Health.Eating black rice may have a positive impact on your healthy cholesterol levelstoo.The anthocyanins phytochemicals found in black rice, reduces the Low Density Lipo-protein (LDL) cholesterol also known as the bad cholesterol, which is a common contributor to cardiovascular diseases.FarmersThey must get a high returns by cultivating blackrice as minimum price of blackrice varies between ₹200to₹800per kg.Another benefit is that it is cultivated in a completely organic way and this has high demand in market and with low investment. Black rice is a star superfood due to its anthocyanin content.
By – Satyajit Sahu, Agri. MBA, 1st year CAM, Utkal University
