Manipur Agriculture Minister Oinam Lukhoi Singh on Friday flagged off a consignment of 2.1 metric tonne of Chak-hao (Aromatic Black Rice) amounting to Rs 2.52 lakh from Organic Outlet Sanjenthong.
It will be airlifted to Farm Flavors, Gujarat, which is a national buyer by Rima Food Industries, Lamlong, Imphal East.
Addressing media persons, Lukhoi said Chak-hao is one of the most popular rice varieties in the country. All the concerned stakeholders namely Department of Agriculture, Manipur, Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA), Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) among others are constantly working for the promotion of the indigenous rice and to increase its production in order to meet the high demands.
He further informed that MOMA along with the Department of Agriculture is facilitating Rima Food Industries on marketing of Chak-hao to different parts of the country and abroad. The firm has been provided with financial assistance for establishment of a Processing Unit of Chak-hao under MOVCDNER, he asserted.
Rima Food has also marketed value-added products of Chak-hao namely Chak-hao Powder, Chak-hao Tea and Chak-hao Kheer packaged in various sizes for buyers inside and outside the state, he added.
The programme was also attended by commissioner of agriculture M Joy Singh; nodal officer of MOVCDNER Radhapyari; and officials of the department.
