Makhana Lifecycle

Learn about the Makhana Lifecycle – from organic cultivation in Bihar’s ponds and fields to careful harvesting, traditional processing, and modern mechanized popping. At Nature To Home Agro, we deliver premium-grade, export-quality Phool Makhana (Fox Nut) that is 100% natural, chemical-free, and sustainably grown.

Makhana Lifecycle – From Cultivation to Processing

Makhana (Fox Nut / Phool Makhana) is one of the most nutritious superfoods of India, widely cultivated in the state of Bihar and other pockets across the country. Belonging to the Nymphaeaceae family, it is a perennial aquatic plant with broad floating leaves and thorny stems. Popularly known as Phool Makhana, Prickly Lily or Gorgon Nut, this organic food crop is unique because it grows naturally in wetlands and ponds without the need for chemical fertilizers or pesticides. At Nature To Home Agro, we bring you 100% natural and premium-grade Makhana, cultivated and processed using eco-friendly methods.

Profiling the Fox Nut Plant

Plant Traits	Plant Attributes	Growth Conditions
Type of Plant: Perennial, Water-based	Genus: Euryale	Requires 6+ hours of direct sunlight
Leaf Characteristics: Deciduous	Species: Ferox	Soil texture: Clay, Silt, Sand
Form of Plant: Oval	Family: Nymphaeaceae	Soil pH: Acidic <6; Alkaline >8
Use: Seeds & Fruits	Origin: Northern & Eastern India, Russia, Far East	Requires frequent standing water
Lifecycle: Perennial	Propagation: By Seed

The leaves of Euryale Ferox are large, corrugated and green on the upper surface, with a deep purple shade beneath. These are supported by stout, prickly ribs, making the plant highly adaptable for aquatic environments.

Stage One: Cultivating Makhana

Makhana is cultivated in two systems:

1. Traditional Pond System

Ponds are first cleared and Makhana seeds are broadcasted.
Overgrowth is thinned and gaps are filled for uniform crop spread.
Fresh saplings grow automatically from leftover seeds, making this method sustainable and low-investment.

2. Field System

The field is ploughed 2–3 times, nourished with fertilizers in a ratio of 100:60:40 NPK/ha, and then filled with water up to 1.5 ft.
Seeds are sown in December, and seedlings are nurtured in nursery plots with an optimum water level of 1 ft.
After 3–4 months, seedlings are transplanted in April at 1.20 x 1.25 m spacing for healthy growth.
New Makhana plants germinate from leftover seeds, reducing costs and making it a sustainable crop.

Stage Two: Makhana Harvesting

Farmers sweep the pond bed to collect sunken seeds.
Bamboo tools and fine nets are used to gather lighter and smaller seeds.
Collected seeds are thrashed by feet to remove the membranous covering.
Yield is generally higher in the field cultivation system, with a shorter harvesting cycle.

Stage Three: Makhana Processing

Processing Makhana is a labor-intensive and skill-oriented stage. At Nature To Home Agro, we combine traditional expertise with modern technology to ensure premium quality.

Steps in Traditional Processing:

Drying – Seeds are sun-dried to reduce moisture to ~31%.
Tempering – Seeds are pre-heated for 40–72 hours.
Grading – Seeds are passed through sieves for size uniformity.
Roasting & Popping – Seeds are roasted in cast-iron pans and popped into fluffy Phool Makhana.

Mechanized Processing

With support from ICAR-CIPHET, Ludhiana, Makhana processing has now been mechanized. This includes Threshing, Cleaning, Grading, Drying, Roasting and Popping in a controlled environment. Mechanization ensures consistent quality, higher yield, and makes Makhana suitable for both domestic and international markets.

Why Choose Nature To Home Agro for Makhana?

100% Organic Makhana grown without chemicals.
Premium Grading & Sorting for uniform size and quality.
Hygienic Processing with both traditional & modern methods.
Export-quality standards, meeting global demand.
Supporting sustainable farming and local communities in Bihar.

Conclusion

The Lifecycle of Makhana – from cultivation to processing – is a blend of ancient farming practices and modern innovations. At Nature To Home Agro, we deliver the finest Fox Nuts, rich in protein, fiber, and antioxidants. Whether for healthy snacking or export, our Phool Makhana stands as a symbol of purity, sustainability, and nutrition.