Experts Sound Alarm on Makhana Cultivation: Rajiv Ranjan Prasad and Dr. Manoj Kumar Share Crucial Insights in Online Training; Emphasize Expanding Makhana Only in Regions with Limited Water Resources
Darbhanga: In the agricultural and horticultural landscape of Bihar, Makhana (fox nut) has carved out an identity for itself as 'Black Gold'. Widely cultivated across the state's Mithila region, it has brought unprecedented improvements to the economic standing of farmers. However, amidst this financial prosperity, concerns from environmentalists and agricultural experts regarding the indiscriminate exploitation of water resources are steadily mounting. During a recently organized online training programme, makhana expert Rajeev Ranjan Prasad and eminent agricultural scientist Dr. Manoj Kumar shared highly critical and cautionary insights on the subject. The experts clearly believe that while makhana cultivation is undoubtedly a highly lucrative and income-generating cash crop, we need to exercise extreme caution regarding its expansion. It should be promoted exclusively in regions with adequate water resources; otherwise, a steep decline in the groundwater table could trigger a severe drinking water crisis in the future.
Main Objective of the Online Training Session and Significance of Makhana Cultivation
This special online training session, organized by Krishi Vigyan Kendras (Farm Science Centres) and various agricultural universities, witnessed participation from progressive farmers, researchers, and students across the state. The primary objective of the session was to acquaint farmers with modern techniques of makhana production and impart knowledge on its scientific management.
Makhana as a Boon for Farmers: Speakers acknowledged that following the acquisition of the Geographical Indication (GI Tag), the demand for Mithila Makhana has skyrocketed in national and international markets. Spurred by government incentive schemes, farmers are shifting away from traditional farming and gravitating towards makhana production, multiplying their incomes several-fold.
Growing Concerns Alongside Rising Popularity: While the scope of makhana production is expanding rapidly, environmental scientists are concurrently issuing warnings regarding the massive volume of water it requires. Makhana is primarily cultivated in waterlogged regions, ponds, water bodies, and flooded agricultural fields.
Insights from Rajeev Ranjan Prasad: Restricting Cultivation Expansion to Water-Rich Regions
Addressing practical aspects during his presentation, makhana expert Rajeev Ranjan Prasad asserted that farmers must not sacrifice the environment and ecological balance in pursuit of financial gains.
Advice for Prudent Expansion: He stated explicitly that according to Rajeev Ranjan Prasad of Darbhanga, while makhana cultivation is extremely profitable, it should not be indiscriminately expanded into areas with limited water resources or unsuitable terrains. If tube wells and pump sets are continuously operated to artificially flood fields in water-scarce regions to grow makhana, it will invite an environmental catastrophe.
Identifying Region-Specific Zones: Sri Prasad emphasized that makhana cultivation should be encouraged strictly in traditional water-abundant zones to prevent placing unnecessary strain on the groundwater table.
Warning by Expert Dr. Manoj Kumar: Groundwater Depletion Fueling the Drinking Water Crisis
Dr. Manoj Kumar, another key expert participating in the online training session, cited scientific data and environmental impacts to express profound concern over the sharp decline in groundwater levels.
Indiscriminate Groundwater Extraction: Dr. Manoj Kumar pointed out that in many regions today, farmers are draining groundwater via borewells and deep-boring systems to flood fields for makhana cultivation. This is causing water tables to plunge rapidly.
Imminent Drinking Water Crisis: He warned that if this uncontrolled cycle of water extraction persists unchecked, a deep drinking water crisis will emerge across both rural and urban areas in the days to come. A situation may arise where humans and cattle struggle for every single drop of drinking water. Therefore, implementing scientific water management systems and making rainwater harvesting mandatory is imperative.
Key Recommendations and Solutions Shared During the Training
Throughout this high-level online training, experts also presented practical solutions to farmers and policy makers:
Scientific Water Management: Technologies aimed at minimizing water usage and enhancing water-use efficiency in makhana cultivation must be developed and adopted.
Utilization of Alternative Water Sources: Systems relying on surface water, natural ponds, and rainwater harvesting should be utilized instead of depleting groundwater.
Agricultural Diversification: Farmers should be educated not to grow makhana everywhere blindly, but rather to follow crop rotation keeping soil health and water availability in perspective.
The observations made by experts like Rajeev Ranjan Prasad and Dr. Manoj Kumar during the online training are exceptionally relevant in contemporary times. While makhana farming serves as a milestone for Bihar's economic development, this success must not come at the expense of the environment. If the uncontrolled expansion of makhana in regions with limited water resources is not checked in time, short-term financial gains could trap us into facing long-term and severe drinking water scarcity. What is needed is a fine-tuned balance between development and environmental preservation.
