Bihar’s Makhana Farmers Reap Rewards from Innovations in Cultivation and Processing

Phool Dev Shahni, like generations before him, made his living diving into deep ponds to harvest makhanas, also known as fox nuts or lotus seeds. These seeds, known for their nutritional value, were collected by divers who had to endure the muddy waters and painful thorns of the lily plant. Shahni explains that while the process was physically demanding and often led to skin issues, it was a tradition passed down through his family.

Makhanas are popular in the northeastern state of Bihar, where 90% of the world’s supply is grown. However, innovations have since improved this arduous process.

In recent years, a shift in cultivation methods has brought significant relief to farmers. Instead of harvesting makhanas from deep ponds, they are now grown in shallow fields, with water only about a foot deep.

This change has doubled the daily earnings of farmers like Shahni. The move to field cultivation was spearheaded by Dr. Manoj Kumar, a senior scientist at the National Research Centre for Makhana (NRCM). His efforts over the past decade have simplified the process, making makhana farming as straightforward as growing any land crop, and leading to a tripling of farmers’ incomes.

Farmers in Bihar are increasingly turning to makhana cultivation due to its resilience in the face of floods and changing weather patterns. For instance, Dhirendra Kumar, who grew up on a traditional farm, switched to makhana cultivation after years of crop loss due to floods.

He found success with this new crop and now farms it on 17 acres, employing local women to sow the seeds. His goal is to create stable job opportunities for farmers, preventing them from leaving agriculture due to its inherent uncertainties.

The processing of makhanas has also seen advancements. Traditionally, the seeds were manually roasted and popped using laborious and often dangerous methods. Shambhu Prasad, founder of Madhubani Makhana, has modernized this process by collaborating with the NRCM to develop a machine that efficiently roasts and pops the seeds.

This has led to higher production quality and quantity, allowing his company to export makhanas worldwide. However, despite these advancements, rising global demand for the seeds may still keep prices high.

makhana cultivation and processing have seen significant innovation in Bihar, with profound implications for both the agricultural landscape and local communities.

Farmers like Dhirendra Kumar believe this shift will transform the state, providing new economic opportunities and stabilizing the agricultural sector. As more farmers adopt these modern techniques and new technologies, Bihar’s reputation as a leading producer of fox nuts will likely continue to grow.