Diabetic-friendly rice variety gains popularity in Kurnool

Kurnool: Diabetic-friendly rice, RNR-15048, is gaining popularity among the urban population here. Feelings are that this variety helps reduce sugar levels in diabetic patients.

This rice is readily available through local millers. Major e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart are marketing it under various brand names at prices ranging between `120 and `170 per kg.

Popularly known as Telangana Sona or Chittimallelu, this variety was developed by the 'Prof Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University'. It is a fine-grained, blast-resistant paddy created by the crossing of two rice varieties, MTU1010 (female) and JGL 3855 (male), with a glycemic index of 51.72 against the normal index of 55.

While brown rice is typically chosen for its low glycemic index, users like R Ashok from the C-Camp area express their satisfaction with this variety. “Although expensive, it tastes good and is proven to be beneficial in managing diabetes.”

Miller G Prasad from Y-Junction area said this variety has a robust consumer base.

Farmers are increasingly drawn to its lucrative market. Many districts in Telangana produce this variety, and local millers purchase and mill it. Cultivation costs are approximately `30,000 per acre for other varieties compared to the `20,000 per acre for this variety.

Ramesh Babu, a retired scientist of ANGRAU, advises diabetics to conduct tests after consumption to ascertain its effectiveness. While rice generally has high carbohydrate content that spikes sugar levels, the lower glycemic index of this variety makes it a potential choice for diabetic patients, he notes.