A farmer has produced “G60 black rice” for the first time in Sindhupalchok district.

Kumar Sigdel, a farmer of Melamchi Municipality, has produced over a tonne of black rice—which is said to have high nutritional value—on 14 ropanies of land.

According to Sigdel, black rice has many health benefits as it is full of antioxidants, protects heart, helps detoxify the body, and is good source of fibre, among others. It also helps boost a person’s immunity power.

Nepali farmers started black rice production some five years ago in Dang district.

Sigdel said he purchased the seed at Rs1,000 per kg. “We purchased 40kg seed for trial,” said Sigdel, adding he was yet to set a market price for the product.

The nutrient-rich black rice is difficult to digest and is consumed by mixing it with other rice variants. To avoid any possible health hazard, Sigdel advised to mix 15gm of black rice in a kg of other rice variants and soak in water for at least 12 hours before cooking. “A person, after consuming a meal of black rice, will not feel hungry for a long period.”

Farmlands 1,500-1,800m above the sea level are considered suitable for black rice production. However, the quality of the output also depends on seeds, according to the District Agriculture Office.