Yogi government to encourage Makhana cultivation in UP, grant of 40 thousand per hectare

Lucknow|The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to encourage the cultivation of Makhana to increase the income of farmers. Under this, farmers cultivating Makhana will get a grant of Rs 40 thousand per hectare. This step is especially for those areas of Purvanchal where the climate is similar to Mithilanchal of Bihar, which is considered suitable for Makhana cultivation.

The use of Makhana cultivation has started in Deoria district since last year. This year, a target has been set to cultivate 33 hectares of Makhana in Gorakhpur, Kushinagar and Maharajganj districts.

According to scientific studies, the climate of Gorakhpur division is quite suitable for Makhana production. Makhana cultivation is more beneficial in those areas where there is waterlogging in the fields.

Gorakhpur division is filled with good number of ponds and rain water in low land areas for a long time, due to which the farmers here can earn good income from Makhana cultivation.

The government has decided to give a grant of Rs 40 thousand per hectare for the cultivation of Makhana. Cultivating makhana in one hectare costs around one lakh rupees, so that the amount of the grant will cover 40 per cent of the cost to farmers. The average yield of Makhana in one hectare is 25 to 29 quintals and currently it costs one thousand rupees per kg.

Makhana is cultivated in ponds or fields filled with an average of three feet of water. Makhana nursery is planted in November and its transplantation takes place four months later in February-March.

The plants begin to flower about five months after transplanting, and harvesting begins in October – November. It takes about ten months from nursery to harvesting. This farming is especially beneficial for those farmers who are already doing fish farming in their ponds.

Makhana is known as a treasure trove of nutrients. It is also super food. After Corona, awareness regarding health has increased, due to which the demand for Makhana has increased.

Its low calories, high amounts of protein, phosphorus, fiber, iron and calcium make it a healthy option, which helps in keeping the digestive system healthy as well as controlling the heart, high blood pressure and diabetes.