- Collection of Makhana produce begins on 29 acres; women self-help groups will receive training in scientific post-harvest management
- Initiatives to promote makhana production, emphasis on developing new opportunities for rural livelihoods and women entrepreneurship
Makhana cultivation is opening up new possibilities for agricultural diversification and strengthening rural livelihoods in Dhamtari district. Initiatives to promote makhana production in ponds are now yielding results. In this regard, women’s self-help groups in Chhati and Dandesara villages have begun harvesting makhana produced on 29 acres. Additionally, preparations are underway to train women in scientific techniques for makhana harvesting and post-harvest management. This will improve the quality of produce, its processing, and the potential for better market prices.
Under the central government’s Central Sector Scheme for the Development of Makhana, Dhamtari district was given a target of 165 acres for cultivating makhana in ponds in 2025-26. Against this target, makhana cultivation has been initiated on 105 acres under the technical guidance of the district administration and the horticulture department. This crop is being promoted in the villages of Rakhi, Chhati, Dandesara, and Peeparchhedi, as well as in Sankara village of the Nagari development block.
On October 26th, a Makhana collection launch and training program was organized for the women of Shailputri Self-Help Group and Nayi Kiran Self-Help Group in Chhati and Dandesara villages. The program was inaugurated. On this occasion, Sarpanch of Chhati-Senchuwa village, Mrs. Daneshwari Sahu, Mr. Jitendra Kumar Sahu, Panchayat members, Krishi Vigyan Kendra expert Mrs. Deepika Chandravanshi, Deputy Director Horticulture Mrs. Pooja Kashyap Sahu, Horticulture Development Officer Mr. Rahul Sahu and Rural Horticulture Extension Officer Mr. Narmada Prasad Bharti were present.
Deputy Director of Horticulture, Mrs. Pooja Kashyap Sahu, stated that women’s groups will be trained in post-harvest management of makhana at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dhamtari, in the coming days. The training will cover proper harvest care, processing, and quality maintenance techniques, enabling women to pursue this activity as a livelihood and entrepreneurship.
- Steps in harvesting makhana
Makhana harvesting is primarily done in three stages. The first harvest is called Lahsar, which removes approximately 70 percent of the makhana seeds. Workers are typically paid per kilogram for this work. The second and third harvests are then called Markat and Karkat. These stages remove approximately 30 percent of the remaining seeds, which requires more labor and time.
- post-harvest process
After collecting makhana seeds from the pond, they are thoroughly cleaned. The black seeds are washed and dried in the hot sun for approximately 2 to 30 days to reduce their moisture. The seeds are then roasted in a kiln or clay pan. After roasting, the seeds are cracked with a wooden stick. This process exposes the white, crisp makhana inside, which is locally known as lava.
Collector Mr. Abinash Mishra stated that promoting new agricultural activities in accordance with the district’s natural resources and local potential is a priority for the district administration. Makhana cultivation can increase farmers’ income and economically empower women’s self-help groups. For this, attention must be paid to scientific techniques, processing, quality, and market linkages, along with production. The district administration is striving to increase rural women’s participation through technical guidance and training, enabling them to move towards self-reliant livelihoods.
This makhana production initiative is an important step toward adding new options to traditional agricultural activities in Dhamtari district. With proper training, quality-based processing, and improved market linkages, this initiative will help create new employment, self-employment, and collective entrepreneurship opportunities for rural women.