GUWAHATI: Assam Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika announced that the state government will lay special emphasis on makhana (fox nut) cultivation, citing the state's favourable climatic conditions and the crop's vast economic potential.
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Speaking in the Assam Assembly, the minister said makhana cultivation requires an annual rainfall of around 1,000 to 2,500 mm, a condition Assam comfortably meets. He noted that the state receives an average rainfall of about 2,000 mm, with some areas recording around 1,500 mm, while the upper Assam districts see significantly higher rainfall of 3,000 to 3,200 mm annually. This, he said, makes almost the entire state suitable for growing the crop.
Describing makhana as a "superfood," Hazarika said it can be cultivated across Assam and holds huge potential for boosting farmers' incomes. He urged greater efforts to expand its cultivation, pointing out that a single bigha of land under makhana can earn farmers between ₹40,000 and ₹50,000.
The minister highlighted Assam's abundance of waterbodies as a major advantage for makhana farming, since the crop is typically grown in ponds, wetlands and shallow water bodies. He said he would hold discussions with the Fisheries Department to explore growing makhana in around 1,000 Beels across the state, which could also benefit fish farmers by giving them an additional source of income alongside fisheries.
Hazarika informed the Assembly that makhana cultivation is already underway in nine districts of the state namely Kamrup, Sribhumi, Darrang, Biswanath, Dibrugarh, Morigaon, Dhubri, and Baksa. He added that a private processing unit has already begun operations at Sonapur, which could help farmers process and add value to their produce locally rather than relying on outside markets.
The minister further suggested that fish cultivators could grow makhana alongside their existing fisheries, allowing them to earn a dual income from the same water body, one from fish farming and another from makhana cultivation.
With growing demand for makhana in domestic and export markets due to its nutritional value, the state government's push is expected to open new income avenues for farmers and fish cultivators alike, while making optimal use of Assam's extensive water resources.