Knowledge level of Makhana growers regarding cultivation practices in the Mithila region of Bihar

Introduction

Makhana (Euryale ferox), also known as Gorgon Nut or Fox Nut, is a highly valued aquatic crop with a rich history, especially in Eastern Asia, and it is now recognized globally for its nutritional and economic importance. It is cultivated predominantly in Bihar, with the Mithila and Kosi-Seemanchal regions being the primary hubs for its production. Bihar accounts for around 85-90% of India's total makhana output, making it a significant player in the market. The recent Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Mithila Makhana has further strengthened its global reputation, positioning it as a superfood in the international market. The crop's adaptability to off-season lowland rice fields has also contributed to the expansion of its cultivation. As a result, districts like Madhubani, Darbhanga, Saharsa, Katihar, and Purnea have become major contributors to Bihar's makhana industry. However, despite its growing market and health benefits, makhana cultivation still faces challenges, including limited research on production practices, fragmented data, and market constraints. Farmers often rely on traditional knowledge and practices, with limited access to modern production techniques and marketing strategies. Keeping this in view, the present study has been carried out to assess the knowledge level of Makhana growers related to its recommended cultivation practices.

Methodology

The research was conducted in the Darbhanga and Madhubani districts of North Bihar. These districts are recognized as major centres for Makhana production. Two blocks were purposively chosen from each district and three villages were chosen from each block. This selection was based on the assumption that these blocks exhibit the largest areas and highest production levels of Makhana. Respondents for the study were identified through a disproportionate stratified random sampling technique, ensuring a diverse representation of Makhana growers. A total of 120 Makhana producers from the selected blocks were identified and included in the research sample. A structured interview schedule was developed to measure these aspects.

Results and Discussion

Knowledge level of Makhana growers related to recommended cultivation practices

The primary objective of the study was to assess growers' understanding of the various methods employed in makhana production. The components of makhana cultivation practices were categorized into several sections, including suitable soil types, qualities, and characteristics; types, slopes, and depths of makhana ponds; preparation and maintenance of the ponds; seed sources and quality; fertilizer application and disease management; the maturation process and timing of harvesting; grading and marketing of makhana; and knowledge of different processing technologies. The findings related to these aspects, along with supporting tables, are presented here. www.extensionjournal.com 5). This suggests that their understanding of modern processing technologies is relatively limited, and there is potential for enhancing knowledge in this significant field.

In conclusion, the research reveals that even though farmers have considerable skills in certain fields including soil handling, seed selection, and crop gathering, there are important shortcomings in their awareness of weed control, fertilizer strategies, and processing innovations, emphasizing the importance of focused education and outreach programs to boost their insight into these vital subjects. The above table depicts the overall knowledge levels of 120 makhana cultivators based on their comprehension of makhana cultivation techniques. The participants are divided into three categories: low, medium, and high knowledge levels. Among the entire sample, 22% (26 cultivators) are classified in the low knowledge category, which encompasses individuals whose knowledge score is below the (< 24.17). This suggests that a considerable number of growers have limited awareness or understanding of critical elements of makhana cultivation. A significant portion of the respondents (71%, or 85 cultivators) is identified as having a medium level of knowledge, characterized by scores that lie within the range of (24.17 -32.21). This segment reflects an average level of understanding and familiarity with cultivation methods, indicating that most growers possess a moderate comprehension of the fundamental aspects of makhana farming. Only 7% (9 cultivators) are placed in the high knowledge group, which comprises those with scores exceeding the (>32.21). These farmers are likely to have a more sophisticated understanding of cultivation practices and could be more adept or experienced. The average knowledge score is 28.19, with a standard deviation of 4.02, suggesting some variation in knowledge levels among the growers. The standard error is 0.36, which indicates the accuracy of the mean score. www.extensionjournal.com Among the fourteen variables studied, eight factors-age, education, landholding, farming experience, annual income, social participation, mass media exposure, and economic motivation-were significantly associated with the knowledge levels of makhana growers. However, six factors-gender, caste, occupation, credit orientation, extension contact, and scientific orientation-did not show a significant relationship with the grower's knowledge levels. A significant negative correlation exists between age and knowledge, meaning that as farmers grow older, their knowledge levels decrease. This implies that younger farmers tend to have more knowledge about Makhana farming practices. The relationship is statistically significant, with a p-value of 0.000. Gender has a very weak positive correlation with knowledge, and the relationship is not statistically significant (p = 0.751). This suggests that gender does not play a significant role in determining the level of knowledge among Makhana growers. Caste with Knowledge Level shows a negligible negative correlation with knowledge, and the correlation is not statistically significant (p = 0.658). This indicates that caste has no meaningful influence on the level of knowledge of Makhana growers. Education with Knowledge Level has a positive correlation with knowledge, meaning that farmers with higher education levels tend to have more knowledge about Makhana farming practices. The significance level of 0.006 indicates that this relationship is statistically significant.

There is a positive correlation between landholding size and knowledge, suggesting that farmers with larger landholdings tend to possess more knowledge about Makhana cultivation. The relationship is statistically significant with a p-value of 0.014. Farming experience with Knowledge Level has a significant positive correlation with knowledge, indicating that more experienced farmers have higher levels of knowledge regarding Makhana cultivation. This relationship is statistically significant with a p-value of 0.000. Occupation with Knowledge Level has a weak negative correlation with knowledge, and the relationship is not statistically significant (p = 0.414). This implies that occupation does not have a substantial influence on the knowledge levels of Makhana growers. Annual income shows a positive correlation with knowledge, meaning that farmers with higher incomes tend to have more knowledge about Makhana farming. The significance level of 0.013 suggests that this relationship is statistically significant. Social participation with Knowledge Level shows a weak positive correlation with knowledge, but the relationship is statistically significant (p = 0.012). This implies that participation in social activities or groups does have an impact on the knowledge levels of Makhana farmers. There is a positive correlation between mass media exposure and knowledge, indicating that farmers who are more exposed to mass media may have slightly more knowledge and the www.extensionjournal.com relationship is statistically significant with (p = 0.038). Credit orientation with Knowledge Level shows a negligible positive correlation with knowledge, and this relationship is not statistically significant (p = 0.748). This indicates that farmers' attitude toward credit does not greatly affect their knowledge about Makhana farming. Extension contact with Knowledge Level has a weak positive correlation with knowledge, but the relationship is not statistically significant (p = 0.563). This suggests that the amount of contact with extension services does not significantly influence farmers' knowledge levels. Economic motivation with Knowledge Level has a positive correlation with knowledge, indicating that farmers who are more economically motivated tend to have higher knowledge levels. The relationship is statistically significant with a p-value of 0.028. Scientific Orientation shows a very weak negative correlation with knowledge, and the relationship is not statistically significant (p = 0.686). This suggests that a farmer's scientific orientation does not play a significant role in determining their knowledge about Makhana farming. In conclusion, factors such as age, education, landholding size, farming experience, income, and economic motivation are significantly linked to the knowledge levels of Makhana farmers. Younger farmers with higher education, larger landholdings, more farming experience, higher incomes, and greater economic motivation tend to have better knowledge of Makhana cultivation. On the other hand, factors like gender, caste, social participation, mass media exposure, and scientific orientation show weaker or minimal connections with knowledge levels.

Conclusion

The study found that most respondents (71%) possessed a moderate level of knowledge about Makhana cultivation practices, while 22% had low knowledge and only 7% exhibited a high level of expertise. The correlation analysis revealed that growers who were younger, better educated, had larger landholdings, greater farming experience, higher exposure to mass media, higher income, and stronger economic motivation tended to have a better understanding of Makhana cultivation practices. By assessing the knowledge levels of Makhana growers, the study provides valuable insights for designing more effective policies and interventions aimed at enhancing their livelihoods.

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