Ashutosh Thakur of Bihar joined more than 700 farmers by forming FPO, increased the production of Makhana manifold

Ashutosh Thakur adopted the FPO model to promote the production of Makhana in Bihar, which has provided better market and profit opportunities to more than 700 farmers.

Bihar is a leader in Makhana production, the Mithila region here is especially known for Makhana cultivation and Mithila Makhana is popular not only in the country but also abroad, not only this, Mithila Makhana has also got GI tag. Makhana is produced on a large scale in Bihar, but its marketing was not easy for the farmers, so they were inspired by the government to form FPO, which has benefited them a lot.

Ashutosh Thakur of Bihar created one such FPO, the name of his company is Mithilaraj Krishak Producer. By forming FPO, Ashutosh Thakur has associated more than 700 farmers with him, which has made it possible to meet the demand of makhana on a large scale, and at the same time, the tension of the farmers regarding the market has also ended. He discussed important issues related to FPO and makhana cultivation in Bihar with Kisan of India correspondent Sarvesh Bundli.

Started work 3 years ago

Ashutosh Thakur, President of Mithilaraj Krishak Producer Company, tells about the beginning of FPO that when the farmers’ movement started 3 years ago, many people said that injustice is being done to the farmers, but the irony of the farmers of Bihar was that they did not have enough makhana to sell. When he used to tell us to give makhana in bulk, we did not have it.

Because no one had much land left here. Then the PMO made a scheme to form 10 thousand FPOs. Earlier, 1-2 FPOs started being formed in every district, the district administration also told them that if they form an FPO, they will get help from the government. In this way, Ashutosh Thakur formed an FPO and now more than 700 farmers have joined him.

Marketing made easy

Ashutosh says that after forming an FPO, marketing became easier. Earlier, only 2 tonnes of makhana could be produced, so supply to many places was not possible, but now 700 farmers have joined, so the production has increased manifold. Earlier people used to ask him how much he would give, now Ashutosh asks how much he wants.

That is, now the production is so much that he can easily meet the wholesale demand. His FPO is producing about 150 tonnes of makhana annually. He says that all this has become possible only after the formation of FPO, this has made it very convenient, because now big platforms have started becoming available. The Bihar government recently organized a Makhana Mahotsav and Ashutosh’s company was asked to set up a stall and display its products.

Apart from farming, value addition products are also being produced

Apart from producing Makhana, Mithilaraj Krishak Producer Company is also making value addition products, which diversifies its use. The company also makes Makhana powder which can be used in kheer or can be mixed with milk and consumed. It also makes Makhana halwa and barfi. Ashutosh tells that the main ingredient for making halwa is Makhana, but a little peanuts and semolina are also added to enhance the taste.

For how many years have you been doing farming

Ashutosh’s FPO has very quickly attracted hundreds of farmers, but his experience of Makhana farming is new, he says that he has started Makhana farming recently. However, he has been seeing its cultivation in his field for 55 years. Actually, earlier the boatmen used to cultivate Makhana by making ponds in his fields and whatever they demanded from it, 5, 10 kg, they used to get it. But in the last few years, the way the health benefits of Makhana have been promoted, awareness has increased among the people and in view of its increasing demand, Ashutosh also started its cultivation.

Mithilanchal is the largest producer of Makhana

You might be surprised to know that 85 percent of the world’s Makhana production takes place in Mithila alone. Ashutosh Thakur says that the cultivation of Makhana started from Madhubani-Darbhanga, but now it is being produced on a large scale in Saharsa and Purnia districts of Bihar and it has gone beyond Madhubani-Darbhanga.

He says that Makhana is produced in ponds in his area, while in many places it is being cultivated by pouring water in the field using modern technology. Talking about the difference between the two methods, he says that the Makhana from the pond is more white, while the one from the field is a little yellow, although the nutritional value of both of them is the same.

The process of making Makhana is complicated 

The white round makhana looks very beautiful, but do you know that farmers have to work very hard to make it from raw form to a sellable form. Ashutosh tells that the process of extracting makhana from water is also complicated, if there is more water in the pond, then it is taken out by diving there, whereas if there is less water in the field, then it is easier to extract it there. After extracting from water, makhana is broken, different types of lava come out in breaking such as thuri, 4 suta, 5 suta 6 suta etc. There is a difference in the taste and softness of different makhana.

How to find the best quality

Ashutosh believes that there is nothing good or bad in makhana. He says that if someone wants to make flavored makhana or eat it in the form of Bhuja, then the smaller size one will be better, whereas any one will do for making powder. Whereas its big grains are popular among those who eat it as a dry fruit. Actually, Makhana with big grains is good and its demand is the highest.

Ashutosh tells that according to export, the demand for 5 thread Makhana is the highest. Whereas for making flavored Makhana, small Makhana is good and for roasting, 4 thread Makhana is good. In Makhana, thread means MM, that is, one thread means 2.5 mm and 6 threads means 15 mm. The advantage of various uses of Makhana is that nothing is wasted in it. Every kind of Makhana is used. Ashutosh tells that preparations are going on to use the black peel coming out of Makhana in the cosmetic industry.

Who can join FPO

Ashutosh says that any farmer who comes under his block and has a bank account can join him. According to him, the input supplier is also a farmer, if a big trader sells the company’s makhana, then he is also a farmer. Every person working in agriculture is a farmer and he can join FPO.

How to do marketing

Ashutosh Thakur explains that the purpose of forming FPO is to market the product. This frees the farmers from the tension of selling the crop after growing it and they also get a fair price for the crop.

Special packing for rainy and winter season

There is often a problem of moisture in the rainy and cold season, due to which special care is taken at the time of packing to protect the makhana. Ashutosh explains that the makhana which has to be kept for two years is packed in lined plastic. Due to which moisture does not enter inside.

Conclusion

Ashutosh Thakur is earning well from his FPO business and farmers are also getting help, so he is also advising the youth to join farming instead of small jobs. As far as Makhana of Bihar is concerned, it has become the identity of Bihar, especially Mithilaanchal. There are more than 25,000 ponds in Madhubani district alone, where Makhana is cultivated.

Makhana is cultivated in about 15 thousand hectares of area in the country, out of which 80 to 90 percent production takes place in Bihar alone. Its 10 districts Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Supaul, Saharsa, Madhepura, Araria, Purnia, Katihar and Kishanganj produce excellent quality Makhana. In view of its quality, Makhana of Mithilaanchal has also been given GI Tag and the Makhana here is now known as Mithila Makhana.