Darbhanga/ Patna: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited Bihar on Sunday, a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled rally in Bhagalpur. During his visit, Chouhan engaged with Makhana farmers in Darbhanga, gaining firsthand insights into the cultivation process and the challenges they face.
Addressing a gathering of farmers, Chouhan highlighted the importance of Makhana, describing it as a “superfood and a storehouse of nutrition.” He recalled his earlier discussions with Makhana producers in Patna and acknowledged the difficulties involved in its cultivation.
“I salute former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for establishing the National Makhana Research Centre in Darbhanga and congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi for initiating the formation of a Makhana Board in Bihar,” Chouhan said. “With thornless Makhana seeds and mechanization, the cultivation process will become easier.”
Chouhan also addressed concerns regarding farmers who cultivate Makhana on leased land, stating that the government is considering measures to ensure they receive benefits under central schemes. He expressed confidence that Makhana would gain global recognition as a superfood, adding that the Centre would support its marketing, branding, and packaging.
During his visit, Chouhan waded through waterlogged Makhana fields with farmers, planting saplings and observing cultivation techniques. Farmers explained that the process requires them to remain in ponds for extended periods, with Makhana plants first nurtured in nurseries before being transplanted into water-filled fields. On average, they said, two and a half to three tonnes of Makhana are produced per hectare.
Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and several other leaders accompanied Chouhan, also stepping into the muddy fields to plant Makhana saplings. The visit comes in the wake of the Union Budget announcement regarding the formation of a Makhana Board, underscoring Bihar’s position as the largest producer of Makhana in India.
