Araria Farmer Natwar Earns 2 Lakh from Field Makhana Cultivation, Ditching Ponds

• Farmers in Araria, Bihar, are shifting from traditional pond cultivation to field cultivation of makhana (fox nut) using new seeds from the National Makhana Research Center.
• Natwar Kumar, an Araria farmer, cultivates makhana on 1.5 acres, earning up to 2 lakh rupees, with costs ranging from 15,000 to 25,000 per acre.
• The cultivation process takes 8 months, involving nursery planting in February, transplantation in March-April, and harvesting in November.
• The Bihar government offers a subsidy of 72,750 rupees per hectare for 3 years under the Makhana Development Scheme.
• Makhana sells for 600 rupees/kg wholesale, 1000-1500 rupees/kg retail in Bihar, and up to 8000-11,000 rupees/kg internationally (e.g., America).