Need to protect desi varieties of rice: CFTRI former director

CFTRI former director Sridevi Annapurna Singh stressed that doubling farmers' income is closely linked to value addition in agricultural produce.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Mysuru

Inaugurating the two-day Desi Rice Mela organised by Sahaja Samrudha and the Save Our Rice Campaign at Nanjaraja Bahadur Chathra here on Saturday, Singh said she was surprised to discover the vast diversity of rice varieties in India.

"Rice is a staple in our country, especially in south India. However, it is often polished by removing the outer bran layer to extend shelf life. Unpolished rice can be stored for about a month, while polished rice lasts for over a year, but at the cost of losing most of its nutrients, leaving only small amounts of starch and protein. Regular consumption of polished rice can lead to diabetes and cardiovascular diseases," she explained.