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Dr. Ujjawal Kumar Singh Kushwaha is a pioneering plant breeder whose contributions have significantly shaped agricultural research and rice improvement in Nepal. Serving as a Technical Officer at the Nepal Agricultural Research Council since 2012, he has led the development and release of multiple nationally impactful rice varieties, including Khumal-12, Khumal-14, Khumal Basmati-16, and Nepal’s first biofortified iron-enriched rice variety, Khumal-18. His expertise spans molecular genetics, quantitative breeding, and seed system innovation, with notable work on bacterial leaf blight resistance and hybrid rice development. Dr. Kushwaha has authored over 50 peer-reviewed articles and several books, including Black Rice: Research History and Development (Springer), and has filed a patent on crop seed measurement technology. He has received national and international recognition, including the 2025 Outstanding Rice Breeder Award from Nepal's Ministry of Agriculture and Nepal Bidhya Bhushan “Ka” (2023). As a committed academic, he lectures in genetics and plant breeding and supervises postgraduate research. His engagement with global institutions such as the IAEA and IRRI further underlines his leadership in advancing food security through genetic innovations. Dr. Kushwaha exemplifies excellence in research, teaching, and policy engagement. My new blog link: https://ukskushwaha.blogspot.com/

Black rice consumption is increasing day-by-day around the world. Thus, it is clear that people want to know more about black rice, but no books are available yet. Therefore in the coming years, the demand for this book will increase. People will be curious to know more about black rice. Many people and researchers will benefit by studying it and this book will work as a reference for further research. This book is published from Springer International Publishing Switzerland.

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This book introduce black rice to a wider circle of people. Although there have been research on different aspects of black rice, the information is scattered and not easily accessible to laypersons. The book intends to cover all the aspects of black rice from research, history, to its development. As such, the book will be suitable for both rice researchers and non-professionals who want to know more about this unique rice crop.

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Black rice, also known as forbidden rice, is packed with high level of nutrients and antioxidants. The antioxidants found in black rice is higher than the blueberries. Black rice is black due to anthocyanin content in the outer layer of its kernel. Legend tells that this rice was consumed only by royals in China and it was expected that this rice would increase life span of the king. Consumption of black rice without approval was hanged. Ordinary individuals were not allowed to consume black rice. Thus this rice is also known as forbidden rice and Emperor’s rice. Now this black heirloom rice is widely available in different parts of the world. Researchers have found that black rice reduce Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), the free radicals produced in the body which is the cause of many diseases. This rice also reduce diabetes, inflammation, heart attack, allergy and obesity; reduce the growth of cancer, improves digestive system and is panacea of many health problems. Thus this rice is also known as long life rice. Food nutritionists consider black rice as modern super foods.

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 The main feature of this book is that it has different chapters and every chapter is different from the others. Readers can choose their particular chapter of interest to study this book. This book will be of benefit to rice researchers, rice scientists, food nutritionists, medical researchers, medical doctors, and common people who are willing to gain more information and knowledge about black rice.

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This book describes all the aspects of black rice in brief. Chapter 1 describes rice and different rice types. Chapter 2 gives an introduction to black rice, its origin, and genetics, Chap. 3 gives the black rice history, Chap. 4 describes the nutrition profiles of black rice, Chap. 5 gives the difference between black, brown, and red rice varieties, Chap.6 gives its economic importance, Chap.7 gives the black rice application, Chap. 8 describes the black rice cultivation methodology, Chap.9 describes the health benefits of black rice, and Chap. 10 gives black rice recipes. Thus this manuscript is complete on the different aspects of black rice. Interested party should read this book.

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