For centuries, the ponds of Mithila have been adorned with the large, green leaves of the Euryale ferox plant. Hidden beneath the thorny exterior of its seeds lies the 'White Gold' of Bihar—Makhana. Once a humble offering to deities and a fasting food, Makhana has now stormed the global health food market.

A Boon for the Mallah Community

Traditionally cultivated by the Mallah (fishermen) community, Makhana farming was a grueling, low-return task. Farmers would dive into muddy ponds to harvest the seeds manually. Today, with modern processing techniques and rising global demand, the narrative is changing. The GI Tag for 'Mithila Makhana' has given them a unique identity and better pricing power.

Nutritional Powerhouse

The world is waking up to what our grandmothers always knew: Makhana is a superfood. Low in fat, high in protein, and rich in antioxidants, it is the perfect guilt-free snack. This global recognition is directly translating into prosperity for Bihar's farmers.

Our Role

At Divya Bihar Mission, we are educating local farmers about value addition. Instead of selling raw seeds at throwaway prices, we encourage them to process, roast, and package the Makhana. We are helping them form cooperatives to negotiate better rates. We believe that the path to Bihar's economic revival passes through its ponds and fields.