New Delhi, May 29 -- New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh government, in consultation with the commerce ministry, plans to promote the export of Kalanamak rice-also known as 'Buddha rice'- to countries with majority or large Buddhist populations.

The traditional aromatic variety, known for its nutritional richness and growing global demand, will be sold in Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Japan, Singapore and Nepal, among others, said UP's minister of industrial development, export promotion, NRI, and investment promotion, Nand Gopal Gupta 'Nandi' in an interview.

Special export quota

The plan is to leverage the rice's historical association with these countries. While rice exports from India were restricted last year, the central government has ...