Banke: The Kalanamak variety of rice, once a staple in Banke, is on the brink of disappearance as farmers are increasingly opting for hybrid rice seeds due to its low productivity.
According to National News Agency Nepal, farmers have attributed the decline in Kalanamak cultivation to its need for more care, increased access to irrigation, and susceptibility to pest attacks. Santosh Pathak, an information officer and senior crops development officer at Agriculture Knowledge Centre Banke, stated that these factors have led to a preference for hybrid varieties among local farmers.
Despite its popularity among high-profile consumers and tourists for its small grain size and aroma, Kalanamak rice has been largely replaced by hybrid and commercial varieties. Cultivation of this indigenous rice has nearly ceased, although the Agriculture Knowledge Centre Banke has committed to reviving its production.
Currently, rice occupies 34,190 hectares of land in Banke, but Kalanamak and other indigenous varieties are not recorded in significant numbers. The Centre has initiated efforts to emphasize the cultural and economic value of these traditional rice types to local farmers.
Kalanamak rice plants are tall and prone to lodging, prompting the Centre to introduce seeds with shorter plant height. Farmers have also been advised on the optimal use of chemical fertilizers to improve yields. Trial cultivation is underway on one hectare of land owned by Ganga Narayan Chaudhary in Titihariya, Baijanath rural municipality-8, Banke. Chaudhary anticipates harvesting approximately 30 quintals soon and noted that market demand remains strong, with Kalanamak priced at around Rs 10,000 per quintal compared to Rs 3,500 for ordinary rice. The high price reflects the crop’s elevated production costs, requiring about six months to mature.
Farmers in Banke favor hybrid rice varieties such as Ramdhan, Radha-4, MP-60, and Gorkhnath. Binod Ghimire, Centre Chief and senior crops expert, acknowledged the challenges in cultivating Kalanamak but emphasized the Centre’s dedication to its promotion. Under the Small and Aromatic Rice Promotion Programme, farmers receive subsidies on seeds and access to agricultural technology to support this initiative.