GI-tagged products like Kala Namak rice hold export potential: Commerce Minister.

Why in news?

• The ministry said that to promote exports of locally Geographical Indications (GI) tagged agricultural products, the government is identifying new products and export destinations.
• The government, through the Agricultural and Processed Food Export Development Authority (APEDA), has been facilitating trial shipments of certain products into new markets.
• The products include Kala Namak rice, Naga Mircha etc.

About Kala Namak Rice

• Deriving its name from the black husk (kala) and a mild salty (namak) taste, it is considered as one of the finest rice varieties.
• It has been awarded GI Tag from Uttar Pradesh.
• It is a non-basmati scented rice variety grown primarily in tarai region of Uttar Pradesh.
• It is highly resistant to rice diseases such as panicle blast, stem rot and brown spot.
• Water requirement is also low compared to Basmati.
• It is also known as ‘Buddha ka Mahaprasad’ (an offering to Lord Buddha).
• It has been rebranded as Buddha Rice in order to promote it in Buddhist countries.