Makhananomics: The politics behind govt's bid to boost Bihar's makhana industry, Pg13.

Key Highlights:

• PM Modi highlighted the newly inaugurated National Makhana Board at a rally in Samastipur, Bihar.
• Bihar produces approximately 90% of India's makhana (foxnut).
• Makhana cultivation is concentrated in 9 districts of northern and eastern Bihar, mainly in the Mithilanchal region.
• Around 15,000 hectares in Bihar are under makhana cultivation, producing nearly 10,000 tonnes of popped makhana.
• The Mallah community, comprising 2.6% of Bihar's population, is primarily involved in makhana farming and harvesting.

Detailed Insights:

• Makhana has gained popularity as a superfood due to its nutritional benefits, leading the government to promote its commercial potential through marketing and infrastructure development.
• Bihar struggles to capitalize on the growing makhana market due to a lack of food processing industry and export infrastructure, causing it to sell raw makhana at low prices.
• Low productivity due to manual cultivation and processing methods, along with slow adoption of high-yielding seed varieties, further hinders the makhana industry in Bihar.
• The Makhana Board, with an initial budget of Rs 100 crore, aims to improve production, processing, value addition, and marketing of makhana in the state.
• Supporting the makhana industry can benefit millions of voters, particularly the Mallah community, who are concentrated in the riverine belts of north Bihar.
• The government aims to create an ecosystem for food processing units through the Makhana Board and a food processing institute to boost the sector in Bihar.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Makhana: The dried, edible seed of the prickly water lily (Euryale ferox) primarily grown in Bihar.
• Food Processing Unit (FPU): Facilities that add value to agricultural products through flavouring and packaging.
• Mithilanchal: A region in Bihar comprising nine districts known for makhana production.