Maize, makhana replace paddy and jute as cash crops in Bihar’s Seemanchal

40,000 to 50,000 metric tonne (MT) of Makhana is currently being produced on around 20,000 hectares of land in Seemanchal by around 15, 000 to 18,000 farmers.

In Bihar’s Seemanchal, maize and fox nut (locally known as Makhana) have replaced paddy and jute as cash crops and resulted in better income for farmers. The state government says the change is encouraging businesses to set up food processing units in the area.

Makhana crop fetches ₹40,000 to 50,000 per quintal and the trade volumes cross over ₹1,000 crores per year in Bihar’s Seemanchal region. (Sourced Photo)

Md Taimur Alam (67) of Chhatiya village in Purnia says he switched from growing paddy and jute to cultivating makhana in 2005. “These two crops were not bringing as much return as I had expected,’ he said, explaining the move.

“In 2006, I started experimental cultivation of makhana in a waterlogged area behind my house. The return was much more than what I had expected. Since then, I reduced the area of cultivation of paddy and jute and started cultivating makhana. I now grow makhana over 40 acres of land,” he said, giving a glimpse of the transition over the years.

Other farmers in the region, too, have made the switch. A family of four brothers in Katihar say they have been practising makhana farming over 25 acres of land for the past few years. “Earlier, we used to give out our land on lease, but now we have started makhana cultivation ourselves due to the availability of better power supply,” they said.

40,000 to 50,000 metric tonne (MT) of Makhana is currently being produced on around 20,000 hectares of land in Seemanchal by around 15, 000 to 18,000 farmers. The crop fetches ₹40,000 to 50,000 per quintal and the trade volumes cross over ₹1,000 crores per year, according to agriculture department records. Darbhanga, Madhubani, Purnia, Katihar, Sitamarhi, Saharsa, Supaul and Kishanganj account for 90% of total makhana production in Bihar.

Hari Mohan Mishra, deputy director of agriculture technology management agency (ATMA) at Purnia, said, “Makhana cultivation has sharply increased during the last few years and is still increasing. Farmers have started growing makhana on low-lying land, which used to be for paddy cultivation.”

Similarly, around 1.5 lakh farmers are currently growing the other popular crop of maize on 2.25 lakh hectares of land in Seemanchal districts. It gives a yearly yield of around 50 -60 lakh MT fetching ₹1300 to ₹1500 per quintal and the trade volume crosses ₹4,000 crores yearly, according to official data.

Md Ibrahim of Shrinagar in Purnia says the switch to maize cultivation from jute and paddy has generally been profitable for farmers. He, however, adds that the government needs to ensure that the farmers get better prices for maize by setting up smooth trading channels.

Another maize farmer in Purnia, Sunil Kumar Jha, agrees. “The government fixed MSP on maize at ₹1,870 per quintal, but we are compelled to sell our crops at ₹1,300 to ₹1,400 per quintal.” He demanded that the procurement of maize should start at the panchayat level through PACS (primary agriculture credit societies), like it is done for paddy and wheat.

Bihar industries minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said the government was “serious” about setting up food processing units in Seemanchal to create better earning opportunities for farmers. “We are serious about setting up food processing units in Seemanchal. The region has emerged as a hub of maize and makhana. It will boost demand for the produce, create local employment and help farmers get a steady income,” he said.