The vital role of traditional Indian rice varieties in supplementing nutritional needs, particularly in undernourished mothers, is the focus of a recent study. These 12 folk varieties analyzed by researchers are found to be rich in essential Fatty Acids (FA), a requisite for numerous body functions, including energy storage. The staple provides other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, starch, and a small amount of protein.
The Intricacies of Fatty Acids
Fatty acids, an intrinsic component of fats and oils, have a wide array of functions in the human body, from providing energy to enabling brain development in infants. Categorized based on their chemical structure, they consist of ‘saturated’, ‘monounsaturated’, and ‘polyunsaturated’ fatty acids. While animal-based food products like meat, lard, sausage, butter, cheese, palm kernel, and coconut oil mostly contain saturated fatty acids, most unsaturated fatty acids come from plant sources and fatty fish. Interestingly, meat products host both types.
Two important groups within polyunsaturated fatty acids are ‘omega-3-fatty acids’ and ‘omega-6-fatty acids’, which are considered crucial because the human body doesn’t produce them naturally. Another category, trans fatty acids, formed through hydrogenation of liquid vegetable oils, are considered highly detrimental to heart health and overall body function.
Findings of the Study: A Boon to Health
Traditional rice varieties offer indispensable FAs that can complement staple diets, significantly aiding in infant brain development. Folk varieties like Athikaraya, Dudh-sar, Kayame, Neelam samba, Srihati, Maharaji, and Bhejri are reported to boost milk production in lactating women. Varieties rich in iron like Kelas, DudheBolta, and Bhutmoori effectively combat anemia in mothers.
Combating Undernutrition
Given India’s 94th position among 107 countries in the Global Hunger Index 2020, these traditional rice varieties could be an answer to the rampant undernutrition among children under five. The index derives its rankings based on factors like total population undernourishment, child stunting, wasting, and child mortality.
Fueling the Economy
Traditional rice varieties are more than just a nutritional powerhouse; they’re also beneficial to the economy. The Bao-dhaan (red rice) export consignment to the US in March 2021 marked a significant milestone for Indian farmers. This chemically unaltered, iron-rich red rice is cultivated in Assam’s Brahmaputra valley.
Disease Resistance: A Crucial Advantage
Seven North East Indian rice varieties, including Meghalaya lakang, Chingphourel, Manuikhamei, Kemenyakepeyu, Wainem, Thekrulha, and Koyajang, have shown potential resistance to blast disease. Caused by the fungal pathogen Pyricularia oryzae, this disease is a significant concern for rice productivity worldwide.
Promoting Cost-Effective Conservation
Preserving these highly nutritious yet gradually vanishing rice varieties through in-situ conservation proves to be less expensive than the cultivation of High-Yielding Varieties (HYVs). Developed to increase food supply and combat famine in developing countries, HYV seeds have their benefits, but maintaining diversity within or outside natural habitats (in-situ and ex-situ conservation respectively) is vital.
About Rice Cultivation
Rice, a kharif crop, thrives in high temperatures (above 25°C), high humidity, and annual rainfall exceeding 100 cm. Predominantly grown in the plains of north and northeastern India, and deltaic regions, it also thrives in coastal areas. West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab are the top rice-producing states in India.