America alone buys 25 percent of the Makhana that India exports.
Makhana is no longer associated with worship, fasting and light food. Now it is considered a treasure of health. Doctors have also been recommending it as a supplement to protein, calcium and magnesium. For this reason, many readymade snacks based on makhana are available in the market. This is the main reason why its consumption has increased both in the country and abroad. America is now the largest buyer of Indian Makhanas. There are many reasons for this. There is a trend in America to eat low-calorie food, Indian Makhana fulfills this demand. The demand for Makhana by the Indian communities in America is also a major reason for this. The culture of snacks in America is also increasing the demand.
In view of the increasing demand for Makhana across the world, the Government of India has recently established the Makhana Board, whose objective is to organize this entire business and increase production. Come, let us know why America is the biggest buyer of Indian Makhanas? What are the 5 big reasons for this? Which countries are the world’s top buyers of Indian makhanas, how much do they import, how did India’s Bihar become the bastion of makhanas?
Why is America the biggest buyer of Indian food grains?
1-Health and superfood trends: People in America look for low calorie snacks. Makhana can be eaten roasted. It fits into the category of light snack.
2. Increase in gluten-free and plant-based diets: The number of gluten-free eaters has increased in America. The market for plant-based snacks is also big. Makhana easily finds a place in both these trends.
Now branded flavored makhana from India has also started being exported.
3-Strong demand from Indian and South Asian immigrants: The Indian community in America is large. They want traditional tastes as well as health-friendly options. Makhana fulfills both the needs.
4-Snacking culture and ready-to-eat products: On-the-go snacks are popular in America. Roasted and flavored makhana is sold in this format. Packaging and flavor variety further increases the demand.
5-India’s supply increased, and value-added exports too: Processing, grading and packing have improved in India. Branded flavored makhana has also started being exported. This made sales easier in premium markets like America. Some reports also mention concerns like tariffs, yet demand is said to be strong.
Bihar is called the center of Makhana.
Who are the world’s top buying countries?
These were the five countries according to the share in India’s Makhana exports. The trend of the last two-three years is almost the same. The total share of the top five countries together is around 60 percent. There may be some variation in the figures, because sometimes the effect of demand, price, logistics and policies is also seen.
How did Bihar become the stronghold of Makhans?
Bihar is not called the center of Makhana for no reason. Nature, tradition and market all play a role behind this.
- Climate and culture of ponds of Mithila region: Makhana is a water crop. Ponds, ponds and wet land are suitable for this. Such water areas have existed in the Mithila belt for a long time. This laid the foundation of large scale farming.
- Generations of experience and local skills: Makhana cultivation and especially seed collection is not an easy task. It requires skilled labor and experience. This work has been done for generations in many areas of Bihar. This is the reason why the ecosystem of Bihar became strong.
Makhana cultivation and especially seed collection is not an easy task.
- Local Network of Processing and Trade: Makhana is not sold just by growing it. It also undergoes cleaning, drying, roasting, popping and grading. These working groups and business networks were formed at the local level. This created a supply chain.
- Advantages of GI tag and recognition: Makhana of Bihar has got GI tag. After this the identity of Makhana became stronger. Buyers’ confidence also increased.
- Bihar’s huge contribution in production: Bihar has the highest contribution in India’s total makhana production. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, a large part of the world production comes from Mithila region.
- Extension of farming from pond to field: Earlier Makhana was mainly in ponds. Now at some places it is being cultivated in the fields by making ridges. Due to this, there are reports of increase in area and production.
Makhana comes from these seeds.
What is the contribution of Bihar in the total production?
According to available data, currently 1.20 lakh metric tonnes of seeds are being produced in the country. After processing, this Makhana sometimes remains at 58 to 65 thousand metric tons. About 90 percent contribution in this comes from the state of Bihar. Other makhana producing states of the country include Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Manipur, Tripura etc. As an experiment, sporadic farming has also started in Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Kashmir. Their results are yet to come.
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