Bhagalpur, September 29 (Daily Kiran) : Bihar Agricultural University (BAU) in Sabour has received a significant mandate to boost the production, processing, and value addition of fox nut, also known as makhana. The Directorate of Horticulture, under the Bihar government, has selected six agricultural science centers operated by BAU to establish micro-level processing units under a central scheme.
These units will facilitate primary processing and value addition of fox nut at the local level, allowing farmers to expand beyond just producing and selling raw makhana. They will have the opportunity to engage in processing, quality improvement, packaging, and creating value-added products.
According to BAU, the agricultural science centers will also provide training to farmers and rural youth on processing techniques, quality control, hygiene, packaging, and entrepreneurship. This initiative is expected to foster the development of small-scale enterprises based on fox nut and enhance rural employment opportunities.
BAU believes that this initiative is a vital step toward strengthening the “farm-to-market” value chain of fox nut. By enabling local processing, farmers will have greater chances to add value to their products and access better markets. Additionally, promoting fox nut-based entrepreneurship could significantly bolster the rural economy. Bihar is a leading producer of this unique aquatic crop.
BAU reports that Bihar contributes approximately 85 to 90 percent of the total fox nut production in India. In many districts, fox nut farming has become a crucial livelihood for farmers. Dr. D.R. Singh, Vice Chancellor of BAU, emphasized that fox nut is a unique agricultural heritage of Bihar, now emerging as a crop with the potential to enhance the state’s economy and farmers’ incomes.
He noted that the establishment of micro-processing units is a significant step toward promoting both production and value addition. The university aims to provide a scientific foundation for the entire value chain of fox nut, focusing on advanced varieties, quality seeds, and scientific production techniques, including harvesting, processing, value addition, packaging, and marketing.
Dr. Singh highlighted that the efforts to disseminate developed techniques to farmers and connect them with fox nut-based entrepreneurship will be intensified. He mentioned that with a focus on research and technical development in the field of fox nut, there will be a special emphasis on processing and value addition, allowing farmers to secure better prices for their products.
This initiative is also expected to create new enterprises and job opportunities for rural youth at the local level. BAU will continue to strengthen research, innovation, training, and technical dissemination to establish fox nut as a high-value agricultural product that represents Bihar on national and global platforms.
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