Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Fox nut, popularly known as Makhana or Gorgon nut (botanical name: Euryale ferox), is an aquatic crop with significant nutritional and economic value. Often referred to as "Black Diamond" due to its small, round black/brown seeds, which turn white when processed, makhana is a highly sought-after superfood. India stands as the world's largest producer of makhana, catering to a substantial portion of global demand. Its cultivation is primarily concentrated in specific regions that offer ideal climatic and geographical conditions, making it a vital agricultural commodity, particularly for rural livelihoods in Eastern India.
Necessary Conditions for Fox Nut (Makhana) Cultivation
Makhana cultivation is unique, primarily thriving in aquatic environments. The successful cultivation of this crop depends on a confluence of specific climatic, hydrological, and soil conditions:
- Climatic Conditions:
- Temperature: Makhana thrives in tropical and subtropical climates, requiring a conducive temperature range between 20°C to 35°C for optimal growth and development.
- Relative Humidity: A high relative humidity of 50% to 90% is essential for the plant's growth.
- Annual Rainfall: The crop requires an annual rainfall of 100-250 cm, with rainfall ideally replenishing water bodies with less than 50% water transparency.
- Sunlight: The plants require 6+ hours of direct sunlight.
- Water Bodies:
- Makhana is an aquatic crop predominantly grown in stagnant perennial water bodies such as ponds, land depressions, oxbow lakes, swamps, and ditches.
- The ideal water depth for cultivation ranges from 0.2 to 2 meters (approximately 4-6 feet for pond systems, and 1-1.5 feet for field-based systems).
- Stagnant water is crucial, as the plant's leaves are gigantic and floating, requiring calm conditions.
- Soil Requirements:
- Makhana prefers clay or loamy soil types that retain water well.
- The soil should be rich in organic matter.
- An ideal pH level for the soil is slightly acidic to neutral, typically ranging from 5.5 to 7.5.
- Cultivation Practices:
- Sowing: Seeds are usually sown between December and January, either by broadcasting them in shallow water bodies (pond system) or in flooded agricultural fields (field system). Soaking seeds for 24 hours before sowing can enhance germination.
- Water Management: Maintaining appropriate water levels throughout the growth cycle is critical. Monsoon rains often fulfill much of the water requirements, but supplementary irrigation might be needed.
- Harvesting: This is a labor-intensive manual process, typically occurring between July and September. Farmers dive into the water to collect the fruits/seeds from the bottom.
Areas of Fox Nut Production in India
India is the global leader in makhana production, with the majority of its output concentrated in a few key states and regions.
Dominant Producing State: Bihar
Bihar overwhelmingly dominates makhana production in India and the world, contributing more than 80-90% of the country's total output and fulfilling approximately 80% of global demand. The cultivation is deeply integrated into the cultural and economic fabric of the state, particularly in the Mithila region.
- Mithila Region: This region is the traditional heartland of makhana cultivation. Key districts include:
- Darbhanga
- Madhubani
- Purnea
- Katihar
- Saharsa
- Supaul
- Araria
- Kishanganj
- Sitamarhi
- Cultivation Methods in Bihar: While traditional pond-based cultivation is common in districts like Darbhanga and Madhubani, newer areas like Purnia and Katihar have increasingly adopted field-based methods, leading to a significant boost in production.
Other Producing States:
While Bihar is the undisputed leader, makhana is also cultivated, albeit on a smaller scale, in parts of other Indian states:
- West Bengal: Particularly in the northern districts.
- Assam: In areas with suitable water bodies.
- Manipur: Where traditional aquatic farming practices are prevalent.
- Tripura
- Odisha
- Uttar Pradesh
- Madhya Pradesh
- Rajasthan
- Jammu & Kashmir
These states contribute to the overall diversity and availability of makhana in India, though their commercial production volume remains significantly lower compared to Bihar.
Government Initiatives
Recognizing the economic importance of makhana, the government has taken several initiatives:
- GI Tag for Mithila Makhana (2022): This has provided legal protection and boosted the market value for makhana from the Mithila region.
- One District One Product (ODOP) Scheme: Makhana is included under this scheme, providing subsidies for branding, marketing, and infrastructure development to food processors.
- Proposed Makhana Board (2025): The Union Finance Minister announced the establishment of a Makhana Board in Bihar with a budget of ₹100 crore, aiming to enhance production, processing, value addition, and marketing.
Conclusion
The cultivation of fox nuts, or makhana, is critically dependent on specific agro-climatic conditions, primarily thriving in stagnant freshwater bodies within tropical and subtropical regions. Its growth necessitates a warm and humid climate, suitable water depth, and fertile, water-retaining soil. In India, makhana production is overwhelmingly concentrated in Bihar, especially the Mithila region, which accounts for the vast majority of the country's output. While other states also contribute, Bihar's dominance, coupled with recent government initiatives like the GI tag and the proposed Makhana Board, underscores its significance as both a cultural staple and an emerging economic powerhouse, poised for further growth in domestic and international markets.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.