Makhana Cultivation Revolution: Farmers Earn 1 Lakh/Acre in Fields, Not Ponds!

• Bihar farmers, led by Natwar Kumar of Araria, are now cultivating makhana in fields using new seeds from the National Makhana Research Center, moving away from traditional pond cultivation.
• This new method, involving 2-foot high bunds and 1.5 feet of water in fields, allows for significant savings of up to 1 lakh rupees per acre with a yield of 2 lakh rupees.
• The cultivation cycle spans 8 months, with nurseries planted in February, transplanting in March-April, and harvesting in November.
• The Bihar government supports farmers with a 72,750 rupees per hectare subsidy for 3 years under the Makhana Development Scheme, promoting field cultivation.
• Makhana prices are highly profitable, ranging from 600 rupees/kg wholesale to 1000-1500 rupees/kg retail, and up to 8000-11,000 rupees/kg in international markets like America.