Bhuban: Lack of marketing facilities coupled with the coronavirus-induced lockdown has hit the cultivation of black rice (locally knonwn as ‘Debanha’) in Dhenkanal district, a report said.
The paddy is cultivated in the first week of June and harvested after five months. The plant grows up to six-feet high and the colour of the rice is black.
The indigenously produced rice is a panacea for several diseases due to its medicinal and nutritional values. The rice is rich in vitamins B and E, niacin, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc and has high demand in the northeast and eastern regions.
It also works like an antioxidant in the body. Black rice is available in markets at more than Rs 500 per kg but the price can come down if more cultivation is taken up in the state.
The rice is mainly cultivated in Kenduguda village under Bhuban block but lack of marketing facilities has hit its cultivation. Moreover, the lockdown has spelled doom for farmers with the harvested crop lying unsold in their homes.
Kenduguda has acquired a special name in cultivation of black rice ‘Debanha’. The rice is mostly cultivated in the northeast state of Assam and Himachal Pradesh and the best variety of seeds are available in those states.
Kenduguda farmers with support from farmers of these states and assistance of the agriculture department have taken up black rice cultivation for the last three years.
The cultivation of this paddy variety which initially started on 10 acre of land is now cultivated on 40 acre of land. A farmer said the cultivation of black rice is carried out by using organic manures instead of chemical fertilizer.
The organic manure is prepared by making a mixture of cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, karanja leaves, begunia leaves, arakh leaves and neem leaves which help in increasing the soil fertility as well as harvest.
Cooked black rice increases immunity and is useful for cancer, hyper-tension and diabetic patients. It acts like a blood purifier and destroying toxins in the body keeps the liver and kidneys healthy. It also helps reduce fat and soothes the digestive system.
Farmer Karunakar Parida said one can reap maximum profit with minimum spending. A sum of Rs 8,000 is spent per acre on cultivation of black rice while the return is six times the expenditure.
The high return on investment has prompted farmers to take up cultivation on additional 30 acre land. The farmers have harvested over 200 quintals of rice this year but are unable to sell it as traders are not turning up due to the lockdown.
Farmer Chakradhar Parida said lack of government support has dampened their interest in cultivation. Moreover, the paddy needs special machine for milling. A miller in Kankadahada block has this machine but farmers are finding it difficult to travel there for milling.
Farmer Jaladhar Parida said they have written to the district administration and agriculture department to install a machine in the block and make arrangements for marketing facilities but their pleas are yet to be addressed.
Dillip Kumar Mishra, block agriculture officer, said the problem has arisen due to the lockdown but will be resolved soon as the department has contacted firms to procure the rice from farmers.