- Inspected Makhana production in village Chhati, stressed on processing, marketing and increasing participation of women self-help groups
During his visit to Dhamtari, the State Minister for Agriculture Development and Farmers Welfare, Tribal Development, Biotechnology, Fisheries, and Livestock Development, Shri Ramvichar Netam, inspected the Makhana cultivation facility in Chhati village of Kurud development block on Wednesday. Observing this innovation, developed through the coordinated efforts of the district administration and the Agriculture and Horticulture Department, he took detailed information about the entire Makhana production process and described it as an effective means of economic empowerment for farmers, especially women self-help groups.
During the inspection, Minister Shri Netam visited the field and closely observed the entire process of planting Makhana seeds, plant growth, crop management, fruit ripening, and harvesting the fruit from the reservoir and processing it using traditional methods to produce Makhana. Officials stated that Makhana harvests typically take six to eight months to mature, after which high-quality Makhana is obtained through processing.
Officials also informed that the women’s self-help groups Shailputri and Nayi Kiran are successfully cultivating Makhana on approximately 29 acres in Chhati village. This initiative is not only providing employment and regular income to local women, but is also giving a new direction to alternative agriculture in the region.
Minister Shri Netam said that Makhana is a high-value, nutritious crop with growing market demand, which holds immense potential for increasing farmers’ income. He directed to further strengthen production, processing, value addition, branding, marketing, and the active participation of women self-help groups. He said that promoting such innovation-based farming can give a new impetus to the rural economy.
Collector Shri Abinash Mishra informed that Makhana is currently being cultivated on approximately 80 hectares in the district. Furthermore, preparations have been completed to expand Makhana production to an additional 100 acres in the Nagari development block. Farmers and women self-help groups have also been trained to increase production through scientific techniques, enabling the district to develop into a major center for Makhana production in the future.
He informed that the district administration is continuously encouraging agriculture-based innovations with the aim of increasing farmers’ income, crop diversification and making women self-help groups self-reliant. Makhana cultivation is an important initiative in this direction, which will strengthen rural livelihoods along with generating employment.
On this occasion, Agriculture Production Commissioner Mr. Pardeshi Siddharth Komal, Director Agriculture Mr. Rahul Dev, Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue) Kurud, Deputy Director Agriculture Mr. Monesh Sahu, Deputy Director Animal Husbandry Mr. Markam, Assistant Director Horticulture Mrs. Geeta Sahu, Assistant Director Fisheries Mr. Kamal Kumar, professors, officers-employees, students of Agriculture College and district level officers of various departments were present.
