NEW DELHI: Fifteen organically produced crops and products from Manipur made their way to 16th edition of BIOFACH INDIA, at the India Expo Mart in Noida this week.
The highlight of the violence-torn state was its renowned black rice, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded during his address at the international conference of agricultural economists, citing its global consumption and nutritional benefits.
Sheetal, a representative from Manipur, spoke to The New Indian, “Recently we have exported around 6,000 metric tonnes of black rice for the year 2024.” She also revealed that Manipur is in the process of finalizing additional agreements to expand its market reach.
While discussing Modi’s statement about black rice being a superfood that addresses global nutrition challenges at the international conference of agricultural economists, she said, “In Manipuri, black rice is known as ‘Chakhao Amubi.’ It is recognized for its antioxidant properties, particularly Anthocyanin, which is believed to aid in combating cancerous diseases.”
In terms of domestic consumption, Sheetal said, “Black rice is particularly favored in South Indian states like Bengaluru and Tamil Nadu. Manipur has also recently secured a contract with Tamil Nadu’s Madras Millets Mill.”
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Alongside black rice, Manipur showcased pink corn, another unique product from the region. Sheetal explained that this corn contains a sticky element similar to that found in black rice, adding to its appeal and versatility.
These products were presented under the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD-NER).
This central sector scheme, a sub-mission of the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
MOVCD-NER aims to develop a comprehensive organic value chain in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
The scheme focuses on linking growers with consumers, supporting the entire value chain from inputs and seeds to certification, aggregation, processing, marketing, and brand building.
The BIOFACH INDIA 2024 event officially commenced on August 3, with Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal gracing the opening session. The event will continue till August 5.