Manipur’s versatile rice, Chak-hao (Black Rice), grown in the Land of Jewels, is hoping to position itself on the global market map, and the State Agriculture Department is making all-out efforts for the trial export of 20 MT to Japan during November–December this year.
In India, Manipur is one of the prominent producers of Chak-hao, and many Asian countries also consume black rice, including China, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. In ancient China, black rice was reserved for royalty, and the country is now a major producer and consumer.
To promote and showcase the quality, aroma, and taste of Manipur’s Chak-hao, some of its unique varieties will be prepared with Japanese, Korean, and Chinese delicacies during the two-day-long Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2025, scheduled to be held at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, on October 30 and 31.
The event is expected to be attended by over 1,000 foreign buyers from more than 80 countries, along with 3,000 farmer organisations and 2,500 exporters, millers, and allied industries.
The State Agriculture Department is now planning to expand the cultivation of both black and white Chak-hao rice varieties from Kharif 2026 onwards, particularly in regions suitable for double paddy cropping. Farmers will be provided with subsidised inputs and hi-tech milling facilities to minimise post-harvest losses and improve quality.
