60-year-old Devakanta too toils in the paddy fields for long hours.
What makes him different from other farmers is his passion to conserve a wide variety of rice in his organic farm, including a black rice variety with medicinal properties, called 'chakhao poireiton', and other drought-resistant varieties. Chakhao poireiton is rich in antioxidants that are said to prevent cancer.
Manipur is famous for black rice, which has several medical properties as well.
"In Manipur, farmers grow about 20 varieties of black rice and chakhao poireiton is the best variety.
The rice is also good to fight dieases like viral fever, dengue, chikungunya or influenza.
While some e-commerce sites sell black rice for Rs 300-350 a kg, Devakanta sells organically grown black rice from his farm for just Rs 150.
"I have adopted organic methods of farming. I have also succeeded in convincing many farmers to switch to organic farming. It's high time we stopped using harmful insecticides and fertilisers. The soil here is very fertile and it is our duty to maintain by using only natural manures and bio-agents to protect the crop," explains Devakanta.
Devakanta is also conserving medicinal plants of Manipur. He runs an NGO called All Manipur Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Growers' Consortium.
"We have several high medicinal value plants, some of which are good to cure cancer. Several aromatic plants can be used as inset repellents also. It is difficult to grow and maintain medicinal plants. Our nature is blessed with plants that can save us from several ailments. It is important to protest our naturally available medicinal plans before many varieties get extinct," says Devakanta.
If you want to know more about Devakanta's initiatives, you can reach him at 09862565030 / 09774269517.
full article in the link below
http://www.rediff.com/business/report/pix-special-manipur-farmer-grows-black-rice-that-cures-cancer/20151028.htm
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Posted by: Ravi Narasimhan <ravi.narasimhan.in@gmail.com>
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