Geographical Indication

Makhana (Euryale ferox Salisb.), commonly known as fox nut or gorgon nut, is an aquatic crop of considerable economic, nutritional and cultural significance in the Kosi–Mithila region of North Bihar (Kumar & Gupta, 2022). The conferment of the Geographical Indication Tag on “Mithila Makhana” on 14 August 2022 has conferred renewed momentum to its branding, market identity and export potential. The present study examines the socio-economic profile of Makhana cultivators and evaluates the impact of the G.I. tag on production, price realisation and livelihood conditions in the region, while identifying the major constraints to sustaining the crop. The study is based on a mixed-methods design. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires and direct interviews from 68 respondents drawn through purposive sampling in January 2025, supplemented by secondary data from the ICAR, Darbhanga, the Directorate of Horticulture and NABARD. Quantitative analyses were performed using MS Excel and IBM SPSS. The results indicate that per-hectare Makhana production rose modestly from approximately 9.08 to 10.07 quintals per hectare following the grant of the G.I. tag, while the average selling price of raw Makhana rose by 92.48 percent, from ₹133 per kg in 2021 to ₹256 per kg in 2025. However, awareness of the G.I. tag remained limited (41.2 percent), only 1.5 percent of respondents perceived a definitive positive impact, and 76.5 percent remained uncertain. Persistent constraints, including absence of formal training (82.4 percent trained only through conventional means), inadequate storage (only 5.9 percent have access), climate stress and limited institutional support, continue to constrain the sector. The study concludes that coordinated intervention through Farmer Producer Organisations, minimum support prices, processing infrastructure and effective leveraging of the G.I. tag is essential to convert the recent price gains into broad-based and sustainable livelihood improvement in the Kosi–Mithila region.