Makhana (fox nut) farming is gaining popularity due to its high nutritional value, rising demand in the health food market, and government support under schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and the establishment of a Makhana Board. Bihar, India, leads in production, contributing over 90% of the country’s makhana supply.
The makhana market size reached approximately ₹8.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.22%, reaching ₹19.6 billion by 2033. Farmers can sell makhana in local mandis through government-backed procurement schemes, and via Farmer Producer Organizations. They can also supply food processing companies or sell directly to consumers through e-commerce platforms.
Makhana is rich in nutrients like protein, fiber, carbohydrates, calcium, magnesium, and iron.
Farmers harvest makhana from September to October, after a cultivation period of approximately 7 to 8 months. Traditional makhana cultivation yields about 1.6 tons per hectare, but from varieties such as ‘Swarna Vaidehi‘ you can get yields up to 2.8 tons per hectare.
Studies have reported net profits ranging from ₹11,051 per acre to ₹88,790 per hectare for farmers, with value addition, entrepreneurs can earn much higher. So, if you’re a farmer or an entrepreneur who is willing to start makhana farming enterprise, then read every point in this article very carefully.
Table of Contents
Makhana Farming Guide
| Scientific Name Of Makhana | Euryale ferox |
| Major Producing State | Bihar (90% of India’s production) |
| Climate Requirements | Warm and humid; thrives in stagnant water or pond ecosystem |
| Soil Type | Clayey soil with organic matter; requires slow-moving or still water |
| Sowing Time | December – January |
| Land Preparation | Ponds are desilted, organic manure is applied, and seeds are sown in shallow water before flooding |
| Water Management | Water depth should be 1-1.5 meters for optimal growth |
| Fertilizer Application | Organic manure (8-10 tons/ha), NPK fertilizers based on soil requirement |
| Pest & Disease Management | Common pests: Aphids, leaf-eating caterpillars; organic pesticides and biological control methods |
| Harvesting Time | September – October |
| Harvesting Method | Seeds are collected manually from the water surface, dried, and processed into edible makhana |
| Yield Potential | 2.8 tons/ha (compared to 1.6 tons in traditional varieties) |
| Popular Cropping Systems |
– Makhana-Water Chestnut – Makhana-Barseem – Makhana-Rice-Wheat (Highest profit: ₹1,22,570/ha) |
| Market Demand | Growing at 9.22% CAGR due to health benefits |
| Selling Channels |
– Local mandis (Purnia, Darbhanga) – Food processing industries – Direct-to-consumer via e-commerce – Government procurement schemes |
| Processing & Value Addition | Roasting and popping for snack products, used in Ayurvedic and nutritional food industries |
| Government Support | ₹100 crore investment for Makhana Board in Bihar, subsidies for pond-based and field cultivation, training programs for farmers |
| Profitability | Net profit: ₹88,790 – ₹1,22,570 per hectare; higher profits in integrated farming (Makhana + Fish) |
Systems Of Makhana Cultivation
There are two systems of cultivating makhana, the Pond System and the Field System. The Pond system is rather a traditional method in which once cultivation starts by sowing seeds or transplanting, farmers do not need to sow seeds repeatedly since leftover seeds of the previous crop serve as planting material of subsequent crops.
In the traditional pond system of makhana cultivation, farmers can also cultivate air-breathing fishes such as Magur, Singhi, Kawai, Garai, etc. These add to additional income for the farmers.
The Field System is a newly developed method of makhana cultivation. In this system, farmers can cultivate makhana in agricultural fields at a water depth of 1 foot. Hence, through this system, farmers can cultivate makhana as well as other field crops such as cereals. Moreover, by following this method, the duration of the makhana crop is reduced to four months.
In the field system, seeds are not sown directly but are transplanted between the first week of February to the third week of April.
Soil & Climate
Makhana crops grow well in warm and humid conditions with a temperature range of 20°C to 35°C and prefer clayey soil rich in organic matter with a pH of around 5.5 to 7.5 that can retain water.
Field Preparation
To cultivate makhana by following the field system, farmers need to prepare their fields from the first week of February to the second week of April. Prepare the land with two to three deep ploughings, followed by planking with tractor-drawn implements or desi plows. Before transplanting makhana seedlings, prepare earthen bunds of 2 feet in height to retain water up to 1-foot level.
The field should be puddled by 2 to 3 runs of tractor-based puddlers to check the downward percolation of water to the lower layer of the field. Fill water up to 1 foot height of the bund before transplanting makhana seedlings.
Direct Sowing Of Makhana
If you are following the pond system, then makhana seeds can be sown directly from December to January. Farmers can broadcast 80 to 100 Kilograms of makhana seeds per hectare in shallow water before gradually increasing the water depth. One can soak seeds in water for 24–48 hours before sowing to enhance germination. Later, weak seedlings are removed and an optimum distance of 1 × 1 meter.
Nursery Preparation
To prepare seedlings for transplanting in the field system, farmers need to prepare a nursery to raise makhana seedlings. For transplanting in one hectare area farmers need to prepare a nursery of 500 m2. Start by applying organic manure, deep plowing 2 to 3 times followed by leveling of the field.
Then prepare earthen bunds of 2 feet height around the field and fill water up to 1.5 feet height. Broadcast 20 Kilograms of seed from December to January. To prevent new seedlings from Aphids, spray 0.2% solution of Endosulphan on newly emerged seedlings. They will get ready for transplantation by the end of March.
Transplantation
From April to May uproot healthy seedlings from the nursery and immediately plant in the prepared field by following a spacing of 1.2 meters plant to plant for optimum yield.
Manure & Fertilizer
Makhana is a fertilizer-intensive crop, that’s why in the pond system due to lack of proper nutrients, the yield is low. To get optimum yield farmers can apply 100:60:40 Kilograms of NPK along with 15 tons of organic manure per hectare before transplantation. Fertilizers can be incorporated during field preparation.
Water Management
Makhana is an aquatic crop, hence maintaining water level is necessary for good production. In India, due to Monsoon most of the water needs can be fulfilled. However, after transplantation, 4 to 5 irrigations according to the field conditions are appropriate. Maintain water at 1 to 1.5 feet in the field system while 4 to 6 feet in the pond system.
Pest & Disease Management
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Major Pests |
– Aphids (Aphis spp.) – Suck plant sap, cause leaf curling and reduces yield. – Leaf-Eating Caterpillars – Feed on leaves, reduce photosynthesis. – Borers – Damage stems and roots, affect plant health. |
| Pest Management |
– Biological Control: Introduce natural predators like ladybugs for aphid control. – Organic Sprays: Neem oil, garlic extract, and fermented plant extracts. – Chemical Control: Use recommended insecticides only when necessary. |
| Common Diseases |
– Leaf Blight (Alternaria spp.) – Brown spots on leaves, leads to wilting. – Root Rot (Fusarium spp.) – Causes plant decay, especially in stagnant water. – Powdery Mildew – White fungal growth on leaves, reduces photosynthesis. |
| Disease Management |
– Crop Rotation to reduce pathogen buildup. – Fungicide Sprays (Bordeaux mixture, copper-based fungicides). – Improve Drainage in field-based cultivation to prevent root rot. |
| Preventive Measures |
– Maintain proper plant spacing to improve air circulation. – Use disease-resistant seed varieties. – Regularly monitor fields and apply organic treatments early. |
Flowering & Fruiting
Flowering and fruiting in the makhana plant starts in May and continue till November. Within 30 to 40 days of flowering, fruits become fully developed and matured. They start rupturing and appear to be floating on the upper water surface for 2 to 3 days after which they get settled in the bottom surface.
Harvesting
Harvesting starts from August to October in which farmers collect scattered makhana seeds manually. Generally harvesting of makhana seeds in practiced in the morning hours. Seeds are collected in a basket and are further sent for cleaning, storage and processing.
Yield Of Makhana
On average, the yield in the pond system is around 1.4 to 2.2 tons per hectare, while in the field system, it is 2.6 to 3 tons per hectare. After harvesting farmers need to clean the harvested seeds followed by sun drying, size grading, pre-heating, tempering, roasting, popping, polishing, grading, packaging and storage to finally sell in the market.
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