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Foxnuts farmers receive very little of the money earned from this health food pie, despite the intensive labour involved
The people who harvest the seeds though — traditionally boatmen and fisherfolk — say the government offers them little support, and they now want a minimum support price (MSP) to ensure that the crop is sustainable for cultivation
Foxnuts
Euryale ferox, commonly known as prickly waterlily, makhana is a species of water lily found in southern and eastern Asia
The edible seeds, called fox nuts or makhana are dried, and eaten predominantly in Asia
When raised for cultivation, sowing is done in December and January, transplantation in February and March, and harvest between July and October.
The wild variety too is harvested at the same time.
The seeds fall into water.
Farmers collect them from the bottom of ponds, grade them, and dry them in the shade.
Then roast the seed and break the shell off.
And take out the lava (the white food commonly seen) and sell it
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) estimates that Bihar produces 10,000 tonnes of makhana per annum, about 90% of the country’s total.
India contributes to 80% of the world’s demand
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