Ajay Kumar
Lucknow . In the politics of Bihar today, the subject of Makhana farmers is sizzling. This crop, known as the delight of Bihar, has now turn out to be a weapon of vote for political events. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, throughout his Voter Adhikar Yatra, descended into the Makhana fields of Katihar district and raised the plight of farmers vigorously. On August 23, 2025, standing in water up to knees, he not solely noticed their exhausting work with Makhana farmers, but in addition tried to perceive their issues. His movies and statements shared on social media created a stir in the politics of Bihar. Rahul mentioned that Bihar produces 90 p.c of the world’s makhana, however the exhausting -working farmers and laborers, who’re largely from Dalit and intensely backward communities, are ready to earn just one p.c of the earnings. Makhana is offered in the market 1000 to 2000 rupees per kg, however farmers get a nominal value, and all the advantages go into the pockets of middlemen.
Rahul accused Bihar’s NDA authorities and the central authorities of doing injustice to farmers. He promised that if the India coalition authorities is fashioned, then Makhana farmers will likely be free of middlemen and their produce can be instantly transported to the market. During this time, he was accompanied by Mukesh Sahni, the chief of the growing human occasion, who comes from the Mallah neighborhood and calls himself the son of this neighborhood. Sahni’s presence gave this go to much more political shade, as the Mallah neighborhood performs an essential function in the politics of Bihar. This neighborhood is spectacular in areas with Makhana manufacturing and has the energy to join different backward courses with it. Sahni, who was as soon as with the NDA and is now half of the Grand Alliance, is anticipating a giant function in the 2025 meeting elections. It is mentioned that they’re demanding 60 seats and are taking a look at the submit of deputy CM. If their calls for aren’t met, then there’s a risk of altering political frost.
Rahul Gandhi’s Makhana talking on the plight of farmers and blaming middlemen is political, however it additionally reveals a contradiction. All the farmers of the nation undergo between middlemen, and in order to deal with this drawback, the central authorities introduced three agricultural legal guidelines in 2020. The purpose of these legal guidelines was that farmers may promote their produce instantly exterior the mandis to patrons, corresponding to personal corporations or retailers. This may have diminished the function of middlemen, and farmers may promote merchandise like Makhana at higher costs. But the Congress strongly opposed these legal guidelines. At that point, Rahul had mentioned that the weakening of the mandis will hurt small farmers. Now the similar Rahul Makhana is linking the complaints of low costs of farmers with middlemen. The query arises that if they’re speaking about freedom from middlemen at the moment, then why opposed agricultural legal guidelines? This paradox offers political shade to their phrases. Makhana farmers complain that their yield is bought at Rs 400-750 per quintal, whereas in the market it’s offered at Rs 900-1600 per quintal. If farmers get entry to the market instantly, then their revenue might enhance.
The issues of Makhana farmers aren’t restricted to middlemen. This crop is grown in Mithilanchal and Seemanchal areas of Bihar, which impacts greater than 100 meeting seats. The cultivation of Makhana could be very exhausting. The work starting from extracting black shell seeds to drying, roasting and packaging is laborious. Farmers nonetheless rely upon previous strategies. Modern equipment, satisfactory mortgage, and lack of crop insurance coverage enhance their issues. The authorities has introduced the institution of Makhana Board, for which a funds of Rs 100 crore has been stored. This board guarantees to promote makhana manufacturing, processing and advertising. But its set up is being delayed, and the grassroots change shouldn’t be seen but. High high quality seeds, corresponding to ‘Suvarna Vaidehi’, are being supplied to the farmers, producing from 16 to 28 quintals per hectare. Also, 75 p.c subsidy is being supplied underneath the Makhana Development Scheme, the most profit of which is Rs 72,750 per hectare. But the impression of these schemes is but to be totally seen.
Makhana has now turn out to be a giant subject in the politics of Bihar. This crop is grown on 36,727 hectares and produces 56,400 tonnes. It primarily grows seafar and intensely backward communities, that are socially and economically essential. NDA is selling it as a worldwide superfood. Efforts are being made to take Makhana to worldwide boards, corresponding to providing Makhana to overseas friends. The Makhana Board is taken into account a strategic step to strengthen the NDA place in 72 meeting constituencies of Mithilanchal and Seemanchal. But there may be dissatisfaction amongst the farmers due to the delay in the set up of the board. Some leaders have raised the demand to set up the board in Seemanchal, which the ruling occasion known as a political gimmick. This controversy reveals that Makhana is not solely financial, but in addition a political subject.
Rahul Gandhi’s Makhana stake on farmers is an element of the political technique. They are besieging the authorities by questioning the progress of Makhana Board. They attempt to vote for Muslim and backward communities of Seemanchal and Mithilanchal. Especially Seemanchal, the place the Muslim inhabitants is excessive, the Congress desires to enhance its penetration. The Mallah neighborhood is a vital hyperlink in this recreation. This neighborhood shouldn’t be solely lively in Makhana manufacturing, however can be political conscious. Traditionally it has been with socialist events, however now leaders like Sahni are taking it to the grand alliance. Sahni’s occasion was with the NDA in 2020 and received three seats, however later his MLAs moved to the ruling occasion. Now Sahni is with the Grand Alliance, however his ambition and political arithmetic can encourage him to change the frost once more. The subject of Makhana farmers is filling a brand new shade in the politics of Bihar. It has turn out to be a social and political subject, not simply financial. Both Rahul Gandhi’s go to and NDA’s plans are cultivating votes in the identify of farmers. But the actual query is, will there be an actual change in the scenario of farmers? Modern know-how, minimal help value, and direct entry to the market can change the lives of Makhana farmers. Makhana of Bihar could make its mark in the world, supplied you are taking concrete steps past politics. It is predicted that the election of 2025 will carry one thing new in this course, and Makhana farmers will likely be ready to get the proper fruit of their exhausting work.