CUMILLA, Sept 29: The cultivation of black rice is expanding in the district.
According to Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), a good number of farmers in Monogram village under Cumilla Sadar upazila are growing black rice.
Grower Manjur Hossain said he is growing black rice this season to make a good profit.
He said around 15 farmers are engaged in producing the paddy variety. The rice has a good demand in the capital.
Local sources said different varieties of black rice paddy is grown in India, Indonesia, China, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.
The seed colour is black and leaves may be purple and green.
Manjur Hossain said the rice is sold at a high rate in different countries. He expressed the hope that black rice will be cultivated on a vast tract of land across the country in the future.
Dr Mehdi Masud, expert in rice research, said black rice contains high fibre. It is helpful for diabetic patients.
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