Drudgery reduction innovation for Roasting of MAKHANA seeds ( Euryale ferox ) for making final product

Makhana ( Euryale ferox ) , a dry fruit, famed for its easy digestibility, high nutritional contents and wide use in religious fasting by people all over India is a major product in Madhubani, Darbhanga, Purnea, Supaul and Sitamarhi districts of Bihar.

The whole process right from planting the seeds to harvesting and final roasting and splitting is highly labor intensive and least remunerative in terms of man hours used vis a vis output.

The concern ,therefore, now focuses on reduction of inhuman physical work involved in bringing the dry fruit of makhana from fields to the market. The major areas for drudgery reduction exercise can focus mainly on the following :

1. The harvesting, during winter season, is done manually by fishermen diving under water and taking out GURI ( Makahana seeds) embedded underwater ( 1.5 - 2.5 feet of standing water body) for long hours under trying conditions. They are paid a pittance and get addicted to drinking to counter intense cold water.
2. The roasting and splitting of Makhana seeds is very tedious and back breaking work . The hot seeds are hand placed in a platter for splitting for hours together which damages the left palm of the worker.
3. The whole process right from planting to roasting needs a relook to ensure areas where the process/ s can be re-engineered to not only bring relief to the workers but also increase productivity.

This problem has been posted by Manager, mCID- Bihar Regional Office, NABARD, Patna. Solutions could be sent to the following e-mail ids: info@nifindia.org or nabpat@sancharnet.in