Patna. Makhana producing farmers of the state will now be able to produce makhana, fish and water fruit water chestnut in the same field. For this, farmers will be given training. Its responsibility has been given to the National Makhana Research Center of Darbhanga. Agriculture Department Secretary Sanjay Kumar Aggarwal visited the National Makhana Research Center in Darbhanga and after observing the work being done by this research center, gave necessary instructions. He said that farmers will be able to get income throughout the year from makhana, fish, water, fruit and water chestnut on waterlogged agricultural fields. Makhana Research Center has developed two varieties of water chestnut, Swarna Lohit and Swarna Harit.
Farmers are cultivating Makhana by digging a one feet pit in the field.
Shri Aggarwal said that instructions were given to spread the word and train farmers on how to further develop Makhana cultivation in the fields along with the pond. Now a large number of farmers are cultivating Makhana by digging one feet pit in the field and they are getting more profit than other crops.
Makhana productivity will be assessed using scientific method
Agriculture Secretary said that there will be a comparative study of Swarna Vaidhi developed by Makhana Research Centre, Sabour Makhana-1 developed by Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur and the production of Makhana from traditional seeds and the benefits of Makhana produced in pond and Makhana produced in the field. Besides, instructions were also given to assess the productivity of Makhana using scientific method.
Support for aquatic research activities
The Agriculture Secretary directed to make maximum use of the available area at Makhana Research Center, Darbhanga for aquatic research activities. Also, he directed to cooperate with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and make a budget provision of Rs 2 crore on behalf of the department.
Was established in 2002
National Makhana Research Center was established here in 2002. Its national status was snatched away in 2005, just three years after its establishment. It started being operated as the regional center of the institute based in Patna. Due to this its scope was limited. For any other work including research, the Center had to take permission from Patna. Now this center will operate directly under the control of the Centre. It will have its own budget. This center will now be directly operated by the Agricultural Engineering Division of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Delhi.