The Uttar Pradesh government is taking a big step to promote the cultivation and export of delicious Kala Namak rice by setting up a research centre in collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute. The proposed centre will be established in Siddharthnagar district and aims to strengthen scientific research and modern agricultural technology for the benefit of farmers and exporters alike.
Kala Namak rice, a non-Basmati variety known for its unique aroma and taste, has been granted the GI tag. With rising domestic and international demand, the UP government is now focusing on scientific development and technical research to further strengthen its value chain.
Last year, the state government established the Kala Namak Rice Export Development Board to facilitate international trade. As part of this initiative, the central government permitted the export of up to 1,000 metric tons of this rice during the financial year 2024–25. This has opened up global markets for farmers, helping increase their income.
According to sources, in late September 2024, the central government eased restrictions on the export of non-basmati rice. As a result, around 500 metric tons were exported to Singapore and Nepal. Uttar Pradesh’s Industrial Development and Export Promotion Minister Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’ stated that the special export window benefited both farmers and exporters.
Expansion Plans Underway: Recognizing the characteristics of Kala Namak rice, the state government is making several schemes to promote its cultivation and export. The government is actively seeking new international markets and encouraging exporters to participate in global food exhibitions.
At the Gulfood Exhibition in Dubai, exporter Dileep Chauhan reported that he had shipped a 200 kg sample to a buyer in Australia, who now wants to regularly import 50 tons per month. Chauhan also plans to cultivate GI-tagged Kala Namak rice on 200 acres of farmland in the upcoming season.
Kala Namak rice is mainly grown in 11 districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, including:
Siddharthnagar, Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Deoria, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, Gonda, Balrampur, Bahraich, Shravasti, and Kushinagar—all of which fall under the GI-tagged production zone.
