ICAR-CIPHET, Ludhiana organised Makhana Stakeholders’ meet at ICAR-Makhana Research Center Darbhanga

Makhana has been proven to be high nutrients food which is rich in medicinal properties and good for daily health diet. The crop is a high value commodity, commercially cultivated mainly in Mithila region of Bihar. To give boost in this sector, ICAR-CIPHET, Ludhiana in collaboration with ICAR-Regional center on Makhana, Darbhanga organized a one day long Stakeholder’s meet on Makhana on 5th September 2022. The programme was attended by makhana growers, manual makhana popping workers, makhana processors and various government officials. 

The programme was inaugurated by Sh. Sanjay Saraogi, Hon. MLA, Drabhanga. Dr. S.N. Jha, DDG (Engineering) ICAR, New Delhi presided over the function. Others present were Shri Rajiv Roshan, IAS, District Magistrate, Darbhanga, Dr. M.S. Kundu, Director Extension Education, Dr R.P. Cental Agril University, Dr. Ashutosh Upadhyaya, Director, ICAR-Research Complex of Eastern Region, Patna, while the programme was hosted by Dr. Nachiket Kotwaliwale, Director, ICAR-CIPHET, Ludhiana. 
Director CIPHET presented overview of post-harvest processing technologies of makhana and other food commodities.

Entrepreneurs, framers and makhana processor discussed difficulties in makhana production and processing. It was suggested that for the development of makhana it is necessary to have an active collaboration between makhana research center and ICAR-CIPHET, Ludhiana. It was further suggested that the makhana Research Center may be converted to Regional Centre of ICAR-CIPHET, so that mechanization is promoted appropriately. The farmers demanded for minimum support price for makhana. Concerns about subsidy on makhaan processing equipments were also raised. 

Dr. S.N. Jha emphasizes on the historical importance of makhana in the development of this region. He also requested farmers to use mechanized way of popping of makhana for higher productivity, health of workers and income generation. In his address, he requested to organized makhana mahotsav on the occasion of Kojagara festival celebrated on sharad purnima in Mithila region.  

On this occasion in his address DM, Darbhanga, Shri Rajiv Roshan emphasize that the farmers should go for starts up by taking makhana as meal product. He also emphasized on e-marketing of processed products to national and international market. Few stake holders appreciated the efforts of ICAR-CIPHET, Ludhiaan for its contribution in mechanization of makhana processing in this region. An emerging entrepreneur of Saurth Foundation, Madhubani Sh. Shyam Babu Jha has requested to collaborate ICAR-CIPHET, Ludhiana and its activities to this makhana center in the interest of makhana farmers of this Milthila region. 

The chief guest shared his experience in the area of Makhana production and processing. He requested for development of machine with higher capacity and suggested that ICAR-CIPHET should conduct some training programmes for farmers and stakeholders of Bihar.

The event ended with vote of thanks by Dr. Indu Shekhar Singh, PS and Head, ICAR-Regional center on Makhana, Darbhanga.