https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

From a Serendipitous Lunch to Black Gold: The Story of Chandauli’s Rice Revolution

A chance lunch sparked Chandauli's black rice revolution, transforming a struggling agricultural community into a thriving powerhouse. Discover how innovation turned grains into "black gold."
Indian Masterminds Stories

Chandauli, Uttar Pradesh – often nicknamed the “rice bowl” of the state – thrives on agriculture. Here, where two-thirds of the population depends on agriculture, golden grains have long-sustained lives and livelihoods. Yet, in 2018, a shadow of low income and reduced soil fertility loomed over its farmers.

However, senior IAS officer, Rajendra Kumar Singh, posted as the Deputy Director of Agriculture in Chandauli, during the time, dreamt of a different kind of gold – black gold, to be precise. This is the story of how a chance encounter, a sprinkle of innovation, and a whole lot of black rice transformed Chandauli’s agricultural landscape.

A SEED OF INSPIRATION IS SOWN

It all began with a fortuitous lunch. The officer, along with the District Magistrate, found themselves sharing a meal with Maneka Gandhi, the then Union Minister for Women and Child Development.

As the conversation flowed towards agriculture, the minister posed a question that sparked a revolution: “What’s the best crop Chandauli can produce?” Mr. Singh readily replied, “Rice, hands down. We have the highest productivity in all of UP!”

“I told her that the yield of rice is so great here that if someone was to throw a plate from the skies to the ground below, it would land up in the thick rice field and won’t even touch the ground,” he told Indian Masterminds.

It was then that Maneka Gandhi suggested a revolutionary idea – black rice cultivation. The idea resonated deeply. Black rice, a nutrient-rich grain with a unique black husk, was not only a novelty but also a potential goldmine for Chandauli’s farmers. Here was a chance to not just diversify crops but potentially rewrite Chandauli’s agricultural story.

FROM PRESS CONFERENCE TO PADDY POWERHOUSE

Mr. Singh, a man of action, wasted no time. He procured 100 kgs of black rice paddy at Rs. 1200 per kg, from Manipur, a state known for its black rice cultivation. But this wasn’t just about acquiring seeds. It was about igniting a spark in the farming community.

“We meticulously packaged and treated the precious paddy before hosting a grand press conference. Over 40 journalists and news agencies, were invited and our eager audience, received packets containing 200 grams of black rice seeds,” he shared.

The officer transformed into a patient teacher, not just distributing seeds but educating the media on planting, nurturing, and harvesting exotic grain. This unique partnership – the government and the media – became the seedbed for a revolution. Both the department and the media personnel diligently cultivated the black rice, and the results were phenomenal. The yield – a staggering 60 quintals per hectare – surpassed all expectations.

EMPOWERING FARMERS, BUILDING A FUTURE

The success story didn’t end there. Mr. Singh, recognizing the need for long-term sustainability, established Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). These collectives empowered farmers to manage the entire process – from cultivation to marketing – independently. Today, Chandauli’s farmers are not just cultivating black rice; they’re running a thriving black rice business.

The ripple effect was undeniable. Neighbouring districts, including Mirzapur, took notice and began replicating the model. But Chandauli, under the officer’s leadership, remained the pioneer.

Even after his transfer to Lucknow, where he is currently posted as the Additional Director of Agriculture (Extension) at the Department of Agriculture, Govt of Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Singh’s dedication to Chandauli’s black rice revolution remained steadfast. He continued to visit the district, meeting with farmers and ensuring a smooth transition.

In fact, his commitment went a step further. When the government’s supply chain didn’t include black rice, he dug into his own pocket to purchase paddy, ensuring the continuation of this golden venture. This dedication earned him the prestigious Chief Minister’s Excellence Award, a testament to his vision and initiative.

BLACK RICE: A NUTRITIONAL POWERHOUSE

Black rice isn’t just visually distinct; it’s a nutritional powerhouse. Packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, it boasts anti-inflammatory properties and high zinc and iron content.

“For consumers, it’s a healthier choice. For farmers, it translates to premium prices – 4-5 times higher than regular rice – boosting their income significantly,” the officer told Indian Masterminds.

A GOLDEN FUTURE, SPROUTED FROM BLACK SEEDS

Chandauli’s black rice story is far from over. The “Chandauli Kala Chawal Samiti” ensures fair market access for farmers. The area under black rice cultivation has increased exponentially, from a mere 10 hectares in 2018 to a staggering 400 hectares today. The production, once a modest 30 quintals, has ballooned to a revenue-generating 8000 quintals.

As Chandauli’s black rice continues to find its way onto plates across the country and beyond, it serves as an inspiration, a reminder that even the most familiar landscapes can yield extraordinary harvests.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Rail Vikas NIgam Limited RVNL
NBCC Director Saleem Ahmad Selected as CMD of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited; Appointment Pending Final Approvals
Mohan Yadav CM
Madhya Pradesh Premier Mohan Yadav Invites Assam Investors, Stresses Historic & Spiritual Bonds for Economic Ties
Rajasthan Government
Promoted vs Direct: 20 IAS Officers Await Posting as Direct Recruits Take Top Roles in Rajasthan
Bihar Government-resized-IM
Major Bureaucratic Reshuffle in Bihar: 6 IAS, 5 IPS & Over 100 BAS Officers Transferred; Anil Chaudhary Appointed Special Secretary, Home Dept
Ministry of Defence
Defence Ministry Opens Missile and Ammunition Production to Private Sector, Boosts Aatmanirbhar Bharat
Delhi Police
Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golchha Orders Formation of 3 Units for Contingency Action Plan Amid Nepal Protests
Rajasthan High Court
Rajasthan High Court Allows Prosecution of Retired IAS Officer in Rs 8 Crore Wheat Scam
Uttar Pradesh CM resized
Sacred Confluence, Modern Vision: Yogi Govt Approves Rs. 1 Crore to Develop Durvasa Ashram as Tourism Hub in Azamgarh
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr G K Goswami IPS
Everything you ever wanted to know about e-murder, e-dacoity and data safety
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
How Siddhartha Saxena Cracked UPSC CAPF AIR 326 Against All Odds
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Utkarsh Ujjwal IAS
IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal Shares Key Advice for UPSC Aspirants: Work Ethic, Failure, and Focus
Read the inspiring journey of IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal, 2023 batch, Gujarat cadre. From IIT Guwahati to clearing...
Sagar Datta Majumdar UPSC CSE 2024 AIR 317
“Don’t get trapped in the vicious cycle of self-doubt,” says UPSC Achiever Sagar Datta Majumdar
Discover how Sagar Datta Majumdar from Agartala, Tripura, cracked UPSC CSE 2024 with All India Rank 317....
UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Live Interaction
From Cut-off Dates to Coaching & Reforms: UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Assures Aspirants of Fairness, Transparency & a Future-Ready UPSC | UPSC@100
A Century of Service: The UPSC’s Landmark Year Begins. Chairman Ajay Kumar on UPSC’s Centennial: “Merit,...
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Rail Vikas NIgam Limited RVNL
NBCC Director Saleem Ahmad Selected as CMD of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited; Appointment Pending Final Approvals
Mohan Yadav CM
Madhya Pradesh Premier Mohan Yadav Invites Assam Investors, Stresses Historic & Spiritual Bonds for Economic Ties
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr G K Goswami IPS
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT