Chakhao now finds buyers outside Manipur
Source: The Sangai Express / Taorem Biswajit

Imphal, January 25 2026: Chakhao, once primarily valued for its cultural significance, is now emerging as a popular superfood outside Manipur due to its impressive nutritional profile and growing demand.

However, despite its health benefits, Chakhao was not widely cultivated in the past due to limited market, low yields, and its primary use being confined to ritualistic purposes.

Experts note that over 20 varieties of Chakhao are grown in Manipur.

Naturally, Chakhao is a tall rice variety, which makes it prone to damage during cultivation when it falls over.

Chakhao now finds buyers outside Manipur

As the demand for Chakhao grows, scientific intervention from plant breeders and geneticists has become crucial to improve its yield and promote more sustainable cultivation practices.

In this regard, Dr Laishram Joykumar, retired Professor and former Dean of the College of Central Agricultural University (CAU), developed a new variety of Chakhao called Chakhao Sana, which boasts a higher yield.

Chakhao Sana was created through the cross-breeding of Thangjing Phou and Chakhao Amubi, following all the protocols for molecular-assisted selection in agricultural biotechnology.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, Dr Joykumar explained that Chakhao Sana was developed by extracting the aromatic scent and color genes from Chakhao Amubi and incorporating the dwarf growth gene from Thangjing Phou.

He stated that it took him nearly six years (2013-2019) to develop the new variety of Chakhao for commercial cultivation.

Though released in 2025, the commercial cultivation of Chakhao Sana began in 2019 in Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur and Thoubal by collaborating with the Green Foundation Manipur, he added.

Over 3 tonnes of Chakhao Sana can be produced per hectare of land, he added.

The retired Professor further stated that Chakhao Sana has lower moisture content compared to Chakhao Amubi and Chakhao Poireiton, but contains higher levels of protein, fat, and fiber than the other two varieties.

Plant breeders and geneticists must play the central role in helping India achieve its vision of becoming a 30 trillion-dollar economy by 2047, he added.

He said that plant breeders and geneticists have been developing various high yielding and climate and pest resilient rice and crop varieties, thereby supporting farmers and enhancing agricultural productivity.

Stating that plant breeding techniques have evolved over the years, Dr Joykumar emphasized the importance of acquiring more knowledge in the field.

Takhellambam Pulen, a farmer from Keinou Thongkhong in Bishnupur, said that he has been planting Chakhao Sana since 2019 .

While other varieties of Chakhao typically produce about 12 to 15 bags per sangam (a local land measurement unit), he noted that Chakhao Sana can yield around 30 bags from the same area.

He said that other varieties of Chakhao he had planted were prone to damage as they are taller and added that Chakhao Sana, on the other hand, is a dwarf variety and is resistant to pests.

Noting that Chakhao Sana is also well-suited for commercial cultivation, he added that it is sold at a wholesale price of Rs 100 per kg, which can go up to Rs 150 per kg after grading.

He further mentioned that the seeds of Chakhao Sana are priced between Rs 70 and Rs 80 per Kg.

The story is written under the Award in Scientific Journalism Programme of CAU, Imphal.

For further details, please contact Dr Indira Thounaojam, Information & Publicity Officer, CAU Imphal, at [email protected] .