Harvest and processing of Makhana ( Euryale ferox Salisb.) - An unique assemblage of Traditional Knowledge

Abstract

The study deals with the involvement of traditional knowledge pertaining to harvest and processing of Makhana (Euryale ferox Salisb.) –potential aquatic cash crop. A group of farmers, locally known as Mallah–a fisher community, is traditionally skilled with aquatic resource management. Inherently, they remain engaged in cultivation, harvest and processing of Makhana, which has high economic value in North and Eastern India. The harvest of Makhana seeds from water bodies and their processing from black hard nut to white puff, ready to eat, through frying in hot earthen oven are cumbersome traditional methods blended with a series of concerted effort. Each activity from harvest to processing, unique assemblage of traditional knowledge has been discussed.