Bhubaneswar: In a major step to scale up cultivation, value addition and commercialisation of Kalajeera rice and other indigenous specialty variety, Odisha is set to collaborate with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines.
The initiative was discussed at a meeting between Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo and an IRRI delegation led by Principal Scientist Nese Sreenivasul in Bhubaneswar.
Agriculture Commissioner-cum-Secretary Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav and senior IRRI officials, including its Odisha head Mukund, also attended the meeting.
As part of the collaboration, IRRI will provide technical support to preserve the distinctive aroma, genetic purity and quality of Odisha’s native specialty rice varieties, including Low-GI rice. Kalajeera rice will be promoted as a primary demonstration project to encourage farmers to expand its cultivation and benefit from higher market valuation and remunerative prices.
Officials said the initiative also envisages developing value-added products from broken rice and establishing local raw rice mills and regional processing infrastructure. The move is aimed at creating opportunities for farmers and women’s groups to emerge as micro-entrepreneurs through rice-based enterprises.
The IRRI delegation also invited the Deputy CM and the state government to the national-level buyer-seller business meet, “Beyond the Bowl”, aimed at strengthening market linkages and stakeholder participation.
The visit also facilitated knowledge exchange with IRRI scientists from the Philippines under the joint project “Promoting Women Entrepreneurship through Rice Value Addition”, with discussions focusing on post-harvest processing and sustainable, women-led agribusiness models.
The partnership seeks to combine conservation of Odisha’s indigenous rice heritage with improved processing, market access and income-generation opportunities for the state’s farming community, officials added.