Our Reporter
Dimapur, March 4 (EMN): The first consignment of “red rice” from Assam was flagged off to the USA on March 4 by Apeda chairman, M Angamuthu, at Sonepat, Haryana.
According to a PIB report, the iron rich “red rice” is grown in Brahmaputra valley of Assam without the use of any chemical fertiliser. The rice variety is referred as ‘Bao-dhaan’, which is an integral part of the Assamese food, it stated.
The report stated that the red rice is being sourced by leading rice exporter-LT Foods. As the exports of ‘red rice’ grow, it would bring enhance incomes of farming families of the Brahmaputra flood plains, it stated.
Rice Export Promotion Forum (REPF) has representations from rice industry, exporters, and 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, the report stated.
The report said that during the April-January period of 2020-21, the shipment of non-basmati rice witnessed an impressive spike, where the non-basmati rice exports increased to INR 26,058 crore during April-January, 2021 against INR 11,543 crore reported during April-January, 2020 period.
“We took several measures in terms of ensuring safety and hygiene because of the operational and health challenges posed by Covid-19, while ensuring that rice exports continue uninterrupted,” M Angamuthu, Apeda chairman said.
