“In the north-eastern Indian state of Bihar, where Mr Shahni lives, 90% of the world’s makhana is grown. The leaves of the lily plant are large and circular and sit on the top of the pond. But the seeds form in pods under water and collecting them was an exhausting process. But in recent years farmers have changed the cultivation process. The plants are now often grownin fields, in much shallower water.

Harvesting seeds in just a foot of water means Mr Shahni can make twice as much money in a day…

Dr Manoj Kumar is one of those behind the change in makhana cultivation. About ten years ago he realised it would be difficult to expand its cultivation in deep ponds. Now Senior Scientist at the National Research Centre for Makhana (NRCM), he helped to develop the cultivation of lilies in fields of shallow water.

Over the last four or five years that technique has been taking off.

‘With our innovations, growing fox nuts is now as easy as any crop grown on land. The only amount of water needed is a foot. The workers don’t have to work for hours in deep water,’ he explains.

And after experiments with different seeds, his centre found a more resilient and productive variety, which he says has tripled the income of farmers. Dr Kumar says that makhana cultivation has helped some farmers cope with more uncertain weather conditions and floods that have hit Bihar in recent years.

Now NRCM is working on machines that can harvest the seeds.”

From BBC.