Maximize makhana, litchi production: Bihar CM

PATNA: CM Nitish Kumar on Monday asked the officials to maximize the production and marketing of makhana (fox nuts), Shahi litchi and honey in state to increase income of farmers and get the maximum possible advantage from the economic stimulus package announced by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently.
“Makhana, Shahi litchi and honey have unlimited scopes in Bihar. Give special focus on maximizing their production. Also make a strategy for proper branding of these items,” Nitish told the officials at review meeting as to how Bihar could be benefited from the announcements made by the Centre under the economic stimulus package.
Nitish said the Union government is now going to make certain reforms in agriculture marketing sector. “In Bihar, we abolished the State Agriculture Produce Marketing Act in 2006 and gave freedom to our farmers for choosing market for their produce. The Centre is now adopting the Bihar model. It is matter of happiness for us,” he said.
Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi and chief secretary Deepak Kumar besides ministers and officials attended the meeting through videoconferencing from their offices.
“Our main aim is to have at least one Bihari cuisine in every Indian’s plate every day. Makhana and its byproducts can fulfil this aim. It will also help in meeting the targets fixed under the state’s agriculture road map,” Nitish said.
The CM asked the agriculture department officials to increase the area of makhana farming and also take necessary steps for proper processing of the product in the state.
Nitish also asked the officials to make an elaborate plan to ensure that makhana trade was done from Bihar itself. “This will improve the state’s economy,” he said.
The CM said the agriculture officials should also focus on increasing production of Shahi litchi, honey, chiniya banana, mango, katarni rice and methe oil to increase the income of farmers and improve the state’s economy.
He asked the rural development department officials to request the Centre for doubling the limit of maximum mandays from 100 to 200 days in a year under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).