In Bihar's Kosi, Thriving Makhana Industry Set To Double Revenues In Few Years

Kosi division in Bihar, India is currently in the headlines for being the makhana production centre. According to Local 18 Bihar, makhana is cultivated in this division on a massive scale. The makhana produced here is supplied to many states across the country as well as abroad. In this area located in Nauhatta block, a group of people have been active in the makhana production for the last several years. This group purchases the food product from different places, cooks it properly and then sells it to traders. The businessmen are earning good profits from this business.

Kamleshwari Kumar, associated with the Makhana business revealed more details about this business. Kumar said that he works in a group and this group has been engaged in the Makhana business in the Kosi division for a long time. According to Kumar, the profit in this business is also good and traders from far away places also come to buy this food product. The Kosi-based labourer said that his group spends their time here till January and returns to Darbhanga after earning profit. He said that when the perfect season for cultivating makhana starts, his group returns here again and works hard to earn their livelihood.

Kumar also added that if the government establishes a makhana manufacturing industry in the Kosi area, it will greatly benefit the local farmers. According to him, products related to Makhana can also be prepared with a manufacturing unit. He said that due to this, the farmer’s income will be doubled and will be benefitted immensely. He said makhana’s demand is in many other states including Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

According to the reports, the makhana business popularity has increased, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. During that time, healthy snacks became all the rage in India and abroad, where they could even fetch up to Rs 13,000 per kilo. In India, as per the reports, the makhana industry is booming, currently worth a whopping Rs 3,000 crores. It is expected to more than double in the next 2-3 years. The flavoured makhana snack market alone is worth Rs 150 crores and is growing at about 30 per cent each year.