Makhana Prices Soar as FM Sitharaman Announces Makhana Board
14 February 2025, New Delhi: The cultivation of Makhana (fox nut), primarily grown in Bihar and a few neighboring states, is gaining renewed attention due to its increasing market value and recent policy interventions. Despite its high selling price of Rs. 1000-1200 per kg following the announcement of a dedicated Makhana Board by the Finance Minister, many farmers remain hesitant to adopt its cultivation due to its labor-intensive harvesting process and lack of mechanization.
Challenges in Makhana Cultivation
Farmers hesitate to cultivate Makhana because it is predominantly grown in stagnant water bodies such as ponds, swamps, and oxbow lakes, where a consistent water depth of 1-1.5 meters is maintained. The crop requires humid to sub-humid conditions, an optimal temperature of 20°C to 35°C, and a relative humidity of 50-90% with annual rainfall between 100-250 cm. However, the primary deterrent for farmers is the cumbersome and labor-intensive harvesting process. Makhana seeds are manually collected from water bodies, requiring farmers to wade through muddy ponds. The real challenge begins after harvesting, as seeds undergo a laborious transformation into the edible popped Makhana. This involves multiple stages of drying, grading, pre-heating, tempering, and roasting at high temperatures. The absence of mechanized solutions makes Makhana processing one of the most demanding agricultural activities.
Government Initiatives and Future Prospects
The announcement of a Makhana Board is expected to bring structured regulations and policy frameworks that safeguard both farmers and consumers. The board aims to establish a pricing mechanism that ensures fair returns to farmers, promote scientific advancements in processing to reduce labor dependency, boost Makhana exports by standardizing quality parameters, and provide incentives and subsidies to farmers for expanding cultivation. The growing awareness of Makhana’s health benefits is also driving demand. Rich in protein, fiber, and antioxidants, Makhana is widely consumed as a nutritious snack, especially in urban and international markets. The price surge from Rs. 800-900 per kg to Rs. 1000-1200 per kg reflects this rising demand and the necessity for improved production methods.
Bihar dominates Makhana production, with approximately 38,000 hectares under cultivation and nearly 60,000 farmers engaged in its farming. The state produces 12-20 quintals per hectare, making it a vital economic activity in the region. However, the high-profit potential is counterbalanced by challenges like labor shortages, long processing times, and inadequate support infrastructure.
For Makhana to become a truly scalable and profitable venture, investments in research and mechanization are essential. The Makhana Board is expected to fund research into mechanized harvesting and processing techniques, provide training and support to farmers, create dedicated Makhana processing zones, and establish direct market linkages to reduce middlemen exploitation. With structured policies and technological interventions, Makhana cultivation could become a game-changer for farmers, transforming a traditional practice into a modern, high-income agricultural enterprise. As the government steps in to regulate and support the sector, the future of Makhana farming looks promising, offering substantial economic opportunities for growers willing to overcome the initial labor challenges.
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