Sandeep Dwivedy
Post News Network
Cuttack, May 29: Bao-dhan or Red rice, cultivated in Assam, may be an alternative for farmers of Orissa as it has high tolerance to stress and nutritive value.
The paddy variety has found mention in Oryza – an internationally acclaimed journal – published by Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI), Cuttack. The seedlings of Bao-dhan can withstand drought-like conditions. The paddy variety shows the unique ability to grow rapidly with the rising water level in the farmland during May-September.
Scientists at CRRI here feel that farmers across the state should be encouraged to grow Bao-dhan, which is believed to prevent diseases like cancer, coronary heart disease, various diseases of bone and bone joints, age-related ailments among others.
“Steps are being taken to cultivate the variety on a large scale in Assam. The same can be done here as Orissa bears the vagaries of nature almost every year,” said a CRRI scientist, on condition of anonymity as research on the variety is yet to begin.
Along with high level of nutritive value, Bao-dhan contains high levels of carbohydrates, crude protein and lipids, a study revealed. However, unlike other rice varieties and high-yielding varieties (HYVs), Bao-dhan yield is low and takes long time to ripen (March-November).
Most varieties of Bao-dhan are red for which it is otherwise known as ‘Red rice’. The redness is due to a naturally occurring compound called Anthocyanin.