srjalsSRJALSSRJALS2788-9386https://doi.org/10.47310/srjals.2022.v02i01.001Improvement of Local Germplasm of Kalanamak Rice to benefit Environment, Health and WealthR.C.ChaudharyAnjaliSahaniS.B.MishraParticipatory Rural Development Foundation, 59N Canal Road, Shivpur, Shahbazganj, Gorakhpur, IndiaKalanamak is heritage rice of eastern Uttar Pradesh and valued for its aroma, taste and nutritive quality. Its cultivation declined from 50,000 ha to less than 2,000 ha and was destined to be extinct. Exhaustive collection of 250 germplasm was made and best accessions was tested and released as KN3 in 2010. It followed its dwarf versions as Bauna Kalanamak 101, Bauna Kalanamak 102 and Kalanamak Kiran respectively in 2016, 2017and 2019. Last three varieties yield 50% more than traditional Kalanamak KN3 and mature 10 days earlier. Normal selling price of the Kalanamak paddy ranges between Rs. 3,000/- to Rs. 4,000/- per quintal. In spite of MSP announced by the governments, most farmers sell their HYV paddy around Rs. 1,500/- per quintal. Cost of cultivation of Kalanamak and yield is the same as HYV, farmers get three times more net profit. Organic Kalanamak fetches 20% premium over normal Kalanamak. Summarily compared to Rs. 43,500 / ha net profit from common HYV rice, Kalanamak KN3 will give Rs. 69,375, Bauna Kalanamak Rs. 1,26,250 and Organic Kalanamak Rs. 1.38,000 per hectare net profit. Kalanamak was exported 350 quintals to Singapore and 100 quintals to Nepal besides Dubai and Germany during 2021. Nutritionally, Kalanamak has double amount of protein (10.6%), triple iron ( ) and quadruple Zinc ( ). Besides, it is “Sugar Free”, hence suitable even for diabetic people. Therefore, the proverb “Paddy and Poverty go together” is a myth now.