Waterlogged land turns into ‘gold’ as makhana farming transforms lives
Up to ₹50,000 additional income per farmer through makhana cultivation; a new path for environmental balance emerges in the village
Patna, April 3
The village of Sahsaul in Saharsa district offers a powerful example of turning adversity into opportunity. Farmers here have found an innovative solution to the long-standing problem of waterlogged fields by cultivating makhana (fox nuts), which is now making them prosperous. Along with improving livelihoods, this initiative has also opened a new chapter in environmental sustainability.
In Sahsaul, 19 farmers have brought about transformative changes in their social, economic, and family lives through the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali campaign. Ganesh Kumar Mahto, a farmer from the village, explains that several acres of land remained waterlogged throughout the year. Despite owning land, farmers were unable to grow traditional crops like paddy and wheat. As a result, many villagers were forced to migrate or depend on daily wage labor for survival.
With the introduction of the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali initiative by the Rural Development Department, farmers gained access to important schemes. With the help of MGNREGA workers, they converted the neglected, water-filled land into ponds and started cultivating makhana. Today, these pond-based farms provide an annual income of at least ₹50,000 per farmer.
What the farmers say
Mahto says that the cost of makhana cultivation is around ₹15,000, while the returns are more than three times higher. Farmers report that makhana fetches between ₹600 and ₹1,200 per kilogram in the market. This has not only strengthened their financial condition but also led to the creation of new ponds and water bodies in the village—an important step toward maintaining ecological balance.
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Makhana cultivation has become a key driver of rural self-reliance in the state. It is increasing farmers’ income and generating employment opportunities rapidly. Under the Makhana Development Scheme, the government is providing subsidies on improved seeds and toolkits. Makhana produced in the state is gaining recognition at the global level.
Shravan Kumar Rural Development Minister