Makhana traders demand policy refit for opportunity pop-up

United Kingdom returnee and seasoned corporate employee Manish Anand Jha, who worked for over 27 years in the construction business, has made a comeback to Madhubani, driven by his 'love for the land', aiming to set up a makhana (puffed foxnut or gorgon nut) processing plant at the age of 47.

- HARSH KUMAR

United Kingdom returnee and seasoned corporate employee Manish Anand Jha, who worked for over 27 years in the construction business, has made a comeback to Madhubani, driven by his 'love for the land', aiming to set up a makhana (puffed foxnut or gorgon nut) processing plant at the age of 47.

The factory set up by Manish Anand is bordered by bamboo plants and open fields in Arer, Madhubani, which is over 160 kilometres from Patna and still seeks clear export policies and a proper industry body.

"Despite receiving the Geographical Indication tag over two years ago, the makhana industry still lacks any association. Moreover, the absence of a Harmonized System of Nomenclature (HSN) code has made the road even more difficult for this industry," says Manish Anand.

Rajeev Ranjan, an IIT Kharagpur graduate, has returned to his hometown of Darbhanga to set up his farmer production company. "Due to government policies, the superfood for the global market from the Home of Black Diamond Growers & White Gold Poppers, Mithilanchal, Bihar, has not made its presence in the world diaspora. The lack of an HSN code makes makhana untraceable and untrackable in the world market, which hampers its exports and global presence," says Ranjan.