Bao-dhaan (red rice) exported to US; hope for farmers in Assam

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Assam's Bao-dhaan is being exported to America now. In a major boost to India's rice exports, the first consignment of 'red rice' (Bao-dhaan) weighing 20 metric tonne was flagged off to USA on Thursday.

Iron-rich 'red rice' is grown in the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam without the use of any chemical fertilizer. This variety of rice is referred to as 'Bao-dhaan', which is an integral part of the Assamese food culture.

The red rice is being sourced by leading rice exporter – 'LT Foods'. The flagging-off ceremony of the export consignments was carried out by the Chairman of 'Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority' (APEDA), Dr M. Angamuthu at Sonepat, Haryana in the presence of Vinita Sudhanshu, Deputy General Manager, APEDA and officials from LT Foods.

Speaking to The Sentinel after the flagging off ceremony on Thursday, Dr Angamuthu said that as the exports of 'red rice' grow, it would bring enhanced incomes for the farming families of the Brahmaputra Valley.

'LT Foods' exports rice, pulses, oil seeds and lentils to Europe and North America. It has come forward to find markets for "red rice" in the USA. The company will use its distribution network and infrastructure on both the East and West coasts and will leverage this to introduce this delicacy from Assam to consumers in America.

Dr Angamuthu said that the APEDA has been promoting rice exports through collaborations with various stakeholders in the value chains. The government had set up the Rice Export Promotion Forum (REPF), under the aegis of the APEDA. REPF has representations from rice industry, exporters, officials from APEDA, Ministry of Commerce and Directors of agriculture from the major rice-producing States including West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.

During the April-January period in 2020-21, the shipment of non-Basmati rice witnessed an impressive spike. The non-basmati rice exports was Rs 26,058 crore (3506 US$ Million) during April-January, 2021 as against Rs 11,543 crore (1627 US$ Million) reported during April-January, 2020 period. The exports of non-Basmati witnessed a growth of 125 % in Rupee term and 115 % Dollar terms.

The sharp spike in rice exports especially during a phase where globally the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted supply changes many commodities, has been attributed to the government taking prompt measures to ensure exports of rice while taking all the COVID-19 related safety precautions.

"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," added Dr Angamuthu.

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