Patna: Makhana, a traditional crop widely cultivated in Bihar’s Mithila region, has been included in the official diet sheet of the Mother and Child Unit at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.
According to those associated with the initiative, the decision followed months of discussions between nutrition experts at AIIMS and representatives of the makhana sector on the food’s nutritional profile and potential role in patient care.
Inclusion Follows Scientific Consultations
Rajiv Ranjan, chairman of the Manigachhi MIDAS Farmers Producer Company (FPC) in Darbhanga district, said he had held a series of meetings with AIIMS nutrition consultants and senior doctors to present scientific evidence on the nutritional value and health benefits of makhana.
He said the discussions focused on research relating to the crop’s nutritional composition and its suitability for patients, particularly pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and children.
According to Ranjan, the decision marks an important development for the makhana sector and for farmers engaged in its cultivation.
Nutritional Value Highlighted
According to experts cited by the organisers, makhana is a source of protein, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and antioxidants. Its low-fat and gluten-free composition, along with its digestibility, was among the factors considered during discussions on its inclusion in the hospital diet for maternal and child healthcare.
Potential Impact On Farmers
Agricultural experts said the inclusion of makhana in the diet sheet of a national medical institution could increase awareness of the crop and strengthen demand for its consumption. They said wider institutional acceptance could benefit makhana-producing farmers, particularly in Bihar’s Mithila region, where the crop is cultivated on a large scale.Officials and stakeholders associated with the initiative said they hope the move will encourage greater recognition of makhana in nutrition programmes and public health institutions in the future.
