News Excerpt:
Foxnuts, popularly known as 'makhana,' have gained traction as a 'super snack,' with their prices skyrocketing in both domestic and international markets since 2019.
Soaring Price of Makhana
- Makhana prices have soared in the international wholesale market, reaching around ₹8,000 per kg, up from ₹1,000 a decade ago.
- In India, wholesale prices have increased from ₹250 per kg to ₹1,400.
- However, farmers in Bihar's Mithila region, which is the main producer of this crop in India, receive only a fraction of the revenue from this health food despite the labor-intensive process involved.
Nutritional Benefits
- Senior scientist at Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), highlights makhana's nutritional benefits, including its protein content and flavonoids that protect against diabetes and obesity.
Production of Makhana
- The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) reports that Bihar produces 10,000 tonnes of makhana annually, about 90% of India's total. India meets 80% of the global demand for foxnuts.
- The prickly water lily, from which makhana seeds are harvested, covers over 15,000 hectares in Bihar.
Cultivation Process
- The cultivation process, which involves sowing in December-January, transplantation in February-March, and harvesting between July-October, is labor-intensive.
- The seeds are collected from pond bottoms, graded, dried, roasted, and shelled by women in the community.
Government Incentive
- The Bihar government offers a 75% subsidy on the Suvarna Vaidehi variety of seeds under the Makhana Development Scheme.
- Additionally, makhana is part of the Union government's One District One Product scheme, providing subsidies to food processors for branding, marketing, and infrastructure development.
- However, the harvesters, primarily traditional boatmen and fisherfolk, receive minimal government support and are advocating for a minimum support price (MSP) to sustain cultivation.
Role of Mallahs Family
- About 500,000 families, mainly from the Mallah community, are involved in its processing across nine districts in the Mithila region.
- Despite the hard work and cultural significance, the Mallahs face challenges such as inadequate government support.
- Many migrate to Assam and Bengal for better opportunities.
- The introduction of popping machines is feared to threaten the livelihoods of Mallah women.
Way Forward:
- Efforts are underway to cultivate the lily in managed ponds for better hygiene and organic production.
- The government needs to provide an MSP to support small-scale traders and farmers, ensuring the sustainability and growth of makhana cultivation in Bihar.
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Prickly Water Lily
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