Makhana: The wetland wonder

Abstract

Makhana is primarily marketed as a pop with very limited value addition. In spite of being a wholesome, nutritious, organic food the potential of Makhana production still remains under-exploited and by and large remains till date, besieged with several constraints like lack of technological interventions, absence of organized marketing structure, inefficient supply chain and most importantly weak socio-economic condition of Makhana growers and processors. However, it remains an unequivocal fact that this sector holds immense potential both as fresh product and value addition, product development and innovation. Thus, an intensive and focused work on different aspects of Makhana production and a comprehensive collaboration between different stakeholders will be highly significant in improving the livelihood of millions of Makhana growers and bringing glory to this under-explored wet land wonder.