BAU launches organic makhana drive in Purnia
1
2
Bhagalpur: In a major push to transform farming in the state's Kosi belt, including Purnia and Kishanganj,
Bihar Agricultural University
(BAU), Sabour, has launched the ambitious '
Organic Makhana Cultivation Programme
' (OMCP) under its 'Know Your Crop' (KYC-Makhana) initiative.
The drive began this week at Bhola Paswan Shastri Agricultural College (BPSAC), Purnia. Titled the 'Green to White Organic Revolution', the flagship OMCP aims to shift makhana (fox nut) farming from traditional methods to scientific, organic and sustainable practices.
Two-month-old seedlings were symbolically transplanted at the university's first dedicated organic makhana research plot. The project is aimed at expanding
makhana cultivation
by 25-30%. A key highlight is the upcoming release of BAU's first elite variety,
Sabour Makhana-1
, which yields up to 3.5 tonnes per hectare and offers a high popping percentage.
Operation Sindoor
'Op Sindoor's precision & execution was unimaginable': Rajnath Singh
Operation Sindoor: India repels drone, missile attack across LoC
Operation Sindoor: Several airports in India closed - check full list
"This variety is a game changer for both field and pond-based systems. It blends tradition with modern breeding, improves soil health and caters to health-conscious consumers," said BAU vice-chancellor D R Singh. He added, "BAU's work helped Mithila makhana receive the GI tag, which enhanced branding, export potential and led to the Centre establishing a National Makhana Board.
" OMCP also promotes mechanised sowing, improved input efficiency and year-round farming across regions beyond north Bihar. Anil Kumar Singh, BAU's director of research, said the KYC-Makhana initiative is aimed at developing an internationally compliant organic farming package. "We have identified a compound in makhana with natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, truly a superfood," he said. Earlier, scientists, students and stakeholders, led by BPSAC principal D K Mahto, participated in the ceremonial planting.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Mango grower's salute to Op Sindoor heroes
Lucknow: City mango grower SC Shukla has developed a mango variety of vermilion colour, which he has named 'Sindoor'. To honour the bravery of soldiers in Operation Sindoor in the aftermath of terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Shukla has dedicated this mango to the army. The mango is delicious and fragrant. Shukla is known for developing new varieties that are beneficial for farmers.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
BAU to conduct survey of farm mechanisation
1 2 Ranchi: Birsa Agriculture University's (BAU) agriculture department would conduct a survey of farm mechanization in the state with the aim to assess extent machine usage in agriculture and scope for improvement, stated the university's annual report. The report stated that the survey of present status of mechanization and other related parameters would be conducted in randomly selected 70 villages in 70 blocks of seven districts namely Dumka, Giridih, Garwah, Ranchi, Palamu, Khunti and Godda. BAU stated that the exercise would be carried out in the backdrop of slow rate of farm mechanization in the state where a vast majority of farmers are using traditional sickles, country-made ploughs, mallet and khurpi in agriculture. For instance, while 26 percent of paddy tillage is through mechanization, machine usage in harvesting of the crop is very low. Dean and head of department BAU agriculture engineering college Dr D K Rusia said, "The programme will be carried out under the auspices of All India Co-ordinated Scheme on Farm Implements and Machinery (AICSFIM) Bhopal. The report would be submitted to AICSFIM. The state govt would also be informed about districts lagging behind and those where mechanization could be promoted faster."
News18
a day ago
- News18
BSF's Neha Bhandari Recalls 72 Hours At Forward Post During Op Sindoor
Last Updated: BSF jawan Neha Bhandari has recounted her experience of taking part in Operation Sindoor and opened up on the preparations and strategy put in to fight against Pakistan. Border Security Force Assistant Commandant Neha Bhandari, who was given a prestigious Commendation Disc for her role in Operation Sindoor, on Saturday said that she was proud to take part in India's operation in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. She detailed how she stayed on duty for 72 hours straight after the terror attack, stepping up vigilance to foil any infiltration bid along the border. 'We started preparing our bunkers and morchas. We became more alert. We anticipated Pakistan's retaliatory strikes. We trained our jawans on how to keep themselves safe and operate in this situation. We started our preparations on April 22. On May 7, when India struck Pakistan, we stayed on forward posts for 72 hours. It was very important to guard the border," she said while speaking at CNN-News18 Defence Townhall. She recounted how shelling started along the border and said, 'Pakistan attacked at around 3 pm. Shelling started. We had to hit back. We had the orders to retaliate. Action would have been better if the ceasefire had not taken place." More to follow… First Published:
