Kalanamak rice value chain opportunities explored at ISARC

Varanasi: The ISARC Farmers' Cafe, featuring a Roundtable on Kalanamak Rice Value Chain: Challenges and Opportunities, was held at the International Rice Research Institute – South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC), Varanasi, on Friday. The event facilitated critical discussions on enhancing the Kalanamak rice value chain through policy interventions, scientific innovations, and market-driven approaches.
Director ISARC Sudhanshu Singh remarked that Kalanamak rice is a symbol of cultural heritage, known for its aroma, nutrition, and spiritual significance as Buddha's Mahaprasad and highlighted the role of UPAGREES project in promoting its cultivation.
Mukesh Gautam, Consultant, World Bank highlighted its need for quality assurance and consistency to strengthen its value chain and growth. Consultant (Agri) World Bank B P Singh commended the upcoming UPAGREES project's plan and underscored the need for collective action and research to enhance its quality, production, and global recognition. Joint director, dept of Agriculture, Varanasi Akhilesh Kumar Singh emphasized the scientific and technical aspects of Kalanamak rice production.
The first technical session, led by Vikram Patil from ISARC, set the context by providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of Kalanamak rice production, existing value chain gaps, and potential opportunities for scaling up production. A significant highlight of the event was the Farmers' Open Forum, where FPO representatives from different Kalanamak districts engaged in sharing their perspectives on challenges in production, branding, pricing mechanisms, and market accessibility.