Also known as fox nut, lotus seed or plant pop, makhana is a highly nutritious option that is gaining global recognition.
Snacking is a popular way to satisfy cravings, but many overlook the potential drawbacks of choosing snacks with minimal nutritional value. However, the famous Indian snack makhana is revolutionising the world of snacks. Also known as fox nut, lotus seed or plant pop, makhana is a highly nutritious option that is gaining global recognition. It is sourced from the water lily plant and is increasingly touted as a superfood for its remarkable health benefits.
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These versatile seeds are enjoyed not only as a crunchy snack but also used in various dishes like the traditional milk pudding kheer and can be ground into flour. Rich in vitamin B, protein and fiber, this tiny seed is cultivated in Bihar which produces 90% of the world’s makhana, according to the BBC.
Cultivating makhana presents its own set of challenges for farmers. The water lily plant, which produces these seeds, has large and circular leaves that float on the pond’s surface. Farmers traditionally had to dive into muddy ponds upto 8 feet deep, enduring discomfort as mud and debris entered their ears, eyes, nose and mouth. This often led to skin problems and the thorn-covered plants would cause cuts all over the body.
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Recently, there have been significant improvements in the cultivation methods. Farmers have shifted to growing makhana in shallow fields which has simplified the harvesting procedure.
Dr Manoj Kumar, a key figure in this transformation, recognised a decade ago that expanding cultivation in deep ponds would be challenging. Now Senior Scientist at the National Research Centre for Makhana (NRCM), Dr Kumar played a crucial role in developing methods for cultivating water lilies in shallow fields. “With our innovations, growing fox nuts is now as easy as any crop grown on land. The only amount of water needed is a foot. The workers don’t have to work for hours in deep water,” Dr Kumar told BBC.
NOTE – This article was originally published in news18 and can be viewed here
Tags: #crop, #fiber, #food, #FoxNuts, #getgreengetgrowing, #gngagritech, #greenstories, #Makhana, #plantpop, #protein, #seeds, #snacks, #superfood, #vitaminb
