A meeting on Makhana cultivation was held in BAU.
By Avijit Biswas
Bhagalpur: The Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Sabour is all set to play a big role in seed production and extension of cultivation area of makhana in non-traditional makhana producing states of country.
The university looks forward to help nine non traditional makhana producing states of country namely Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Uttarakhand and Jammu Kashmir in increasing cultivation area and seed production of makhana.
By promotion of Sabour Makhana-1 seeds, the university intends to help non traditional makhana growing states in increasing seed production and cultivation area of makhana.
A decision to this effect was taken in meeting held today at BAU for discussing steps needed for extending cultivation area of makhana, a major water crop of Bihar at national level.
Dr D R Singh, Vice Chancellor, chaired the meeting. As part of the action plan prepared for ensuring seed availability to the non-traditional makhana producing states, it was decided total 100 quintal seed of Sabour Makhana -1 in category of Truthfully Labelled (TFL) Seeds would be made available at rate of Rs 255 per kilogram.
The university has planned to ensure availability of Sabour Makhana -1 seeds to non-traditional makhana growing states from Bhola Paswan Shastri Agricultural College (BPSAC), Purnia a constituent unit of university, Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Araria and Katihar beside other constituent units of university.
The total quantity of seeds of Sabour Makhana- 1 that would be supplied by BAU, it was worked out in the meeting, would ensure total coverage of 30-hectare area and thereby crop coverage area of Sabour Makhana-1 would be three hectares in each of the identified non traditional makhana growing states.
The meeting decided to inform National Makhana Board, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry, Government of India about university plan so that concerned states could be intimated by first week of January about schedule of lifting seeds from supply point.
It was further decided in the meeting that apart from supply of seeds, the university would make available package of practices regarding production and packaging of makhana crop to the identified states. Dr Anil Kumar, assistant professor, department of horticulture, BPSAC, Purnia was entrusted for the purpose.
Those present in the meeting included Dr A K Singh, director (research), Dr S K Pathak, director (extension education), Dr M Feza Ahmad, director (seed and farm) besides senior scientists and experts.
About the Author
Avijit Biswas is a former reporter with the Hindustan Times, Patna Edition, based in Bhagalpur. He has more than 25 years of experience covering politics and other key beats across eastern Bihar. Known for his in-depth ground reporting and strong grasp of regional issues, Biswas has closely followed political developments and social trends in the region, earning credibility for accurate and balanced journalism.
About the Author
