Odisha, IRRI Join Hands to Expand Kalajeera Rice Cultivation and Build Global Market

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is looking to take its indigenous specialty rice varieties, particularly Kalajeera rice, to a larger commercial market through advanced research, value addition and stronger market linkages, with the state government exploring a collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

The issue was discussed during a meeting between Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and a delegation from IRRI, Philippines, at the LSB Chamber. The discussions focused on expanding cultivation of specialty rice, preserving its unique characteristics and creating greater economic opportunities for farmers.

Under the proposed collaboration, IRRI will provide technical support to preserve the distinct aroma, genetic purity and quality of Odisha’s indigenous rice varieties. The partnership will also explore the promotion of health-oriented specialty varieties, including low-GI rice, which could cater to growing demand for healthier food products.

Kalajeera rice is proposed as a key demonstration crop for expanding specialty rice cultivation in the state. The government aims to encourage more farmers to take up its cultivation by leveraging its higher market value and favourable pricing opportunities, including applicable Minimum Support Price (MSP) benefits.

The partnership will also focus on reducing wastage and increasing farmers’ earnings through value addition of broken rice. Plans include developing food products from broken rice and establishing local raw rice milling units and regional processing infrastructure.

Such infrastructure is expected to create opportunities for rural communities to participate in processing and value-added activities. The government is particularly looking at enabling farmers and women’s groups to emerge as micro-entrepreneurs in the rice value chain.

The IRRI delegation also invited the Deputy Chief Minister and the Odisha government to participate in the upcoming national-level buyer-seller business meet ‘Beyond the Bowl’, aimed at bringing producers, buyers and other stakeholders together and strengthening market linkages.

The visit also facilitated knowledge exchange between Odisha and IRRI scientists from the Philippines under the joint ‘Promoting Women Entrepreneurship through Rice Value Addition’ project. The initiative seeks to share best practices in post-harvest processing and develop sustainable, women-led agribusiness models.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Agriculture Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav attended the meeting. The IRRI delegation was led by Principal Scientist Dr Nese Sreenivasul and included IRRI Odisha Head Dr Mukund, Scientist and Product Development Specialist Dr Hameeda, Project Coordinator for Rice Value Addition Dr Priyabrata Roy and Agribusiness Expert Gyandeep Pandia.

The proposed collaboration seeks to combine Odisha’s traditional rice heritage with modern research, processing and market development, with the larger objective of turning indigenous rice varieties into commercially viable products while strengthening rural livelihoods.