Black Scented Rice Cultivation in India

The black scented rice of Manipur cultivar ¿Chakhao poireiton¿ is considered to be both food and medicine. The black colour of Manipur rice is due to the presence of anthocyanins, which act as a powerful antioxidant. The black scented rice grain contains more Vitamin B, niacin, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc in comparison to normal rice grains. The grains are high in fibre and have got a sweet and slightly nutty taste. Such type of aromatic and medicinal rice is also known as ¿Forbidden rice¿ in some parts of the world. Cultivation of aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.) especially black scented rice is very remunerative, as it fetches sufficiently higher price over the common rice. The future of the Indian foreign exchange earnings may largely be secured through export of black scented rice.