Bihar’s Mithila Makhana Receives GI Tag

After Bhagalpur’s Jardalu Mango, Katarni Dhaan (rice), Nawada’s Magahi Paan, and Muzaffarpur’s Shahi Litchi, Bihar’s Mithila Makhana has been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag by the Union Government.

Euryale Ferox Salisb is the Botanical name of Makhana, which is also known as fox nut or lotus seeds. These seeds are of great value in Asian medicine as well as cuisine. They are usually shelled, dried, and then sold in the market.

In the Mithila region of Bihar and adjoining areas of Nepal, Makhana which is a special variety of Fox nuts is extensively cultivated. Rich in protein, fiber and various micronutrients such as magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and iron, Mithila Makhana is a must in ‘kojagra’ festival of mithilanchal.

Notifying about the GI Tag to Mithila Makhana, Union Minister Piyush Goyal tweeted that Mithila Makhana gets GI Tag and now it will be easier for farmers to earn more profit from it.  Due to Geographical Indication Tag to Mithila Makhana in the festive season, people outside Bihar will be able to use this auspicious material with reverence.

According to govt sources, with this move Fox Nuts farmers will get the maximum price for their premium produce. It is important to mention that over 5 lakh farmers of Mithila region is said to be benefitted from this decision.

Expressing happiness over the decision of union government, member of parliament of Darbhanga, Gopal jee Thakur, tweeted, “Now Mithila will be recognized by its Makhana”.

“Earlier, Darbhanga have been awarded as the state doing excellent job in makhana cultivation under ‘one district one product’, scheme”, says MP of Darbhanga. People are happy with the information of Mithila’s Makhana getting GI tag, as soon as this news spread on social media, people started sharing this information. People of Mithila were waiting for a long time.

GI tag is primarily given to natural or manufactured product  handicraft and industrial goods that originates from a geographical area. Usually such a name assures quality and uniqueness, due to its place of origin.