Makhana revolution in Bihar: Transforming tradition into a global superfood
- Bihar Journal of Public Administration
- 22(1-S), Jan-Jun, 2025: p.108-115
Agriculture is the main stay of Bihar’s economy and has several unique potentialities to boost economic development at a fast pace, most potential of them is cultivation, processing and marketing of ‘Makhana’. Makhana, also known as fox nut or gorgon nut, is a significant agricultural product of Bihar, contributing to 85% of the world's production. It is linked to the culture of the Mithila region of Bihar since hundreds of years, and it is rich in nutrients and is source of manganese, potassium, magnesium, thiamine, protein and phosphorus. It is now being popularized as ‘Super Food’ in the world market. This aquatic crop is primarily cultivated in the Mithilanchal region, and the key producing districts are: Katihar, Purnea, Supaul, Saharsa, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Madhepura, Araria, Kishanganj, and Sitamarhi. The improvement in cultivation, processing and marketing of Makhana can substantially contribute to our PM’s mission of ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’ and of course ‘Viksit Bihar’. With this view in mind, the present article, examines the significance of makhana project in the context of economic development and the concerned policy process. Finally, the article underlines the huge potentiality of socio-economic development through cultivation, processing, global recognition and marketing of makhana by transforming from the traditional methods to improved methods.- Reproduced