PATNA, June 26 -- The state cooperative department is mulling the creation of cooperative societies in Seemanchal (north-eastern Bihar) to support and promote the cultivation, processing, and marketing of makhana (fox nut), cooperative minister Prem Kumar said at a function in Patna on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters at the release of a study titled "Climate Change and Makhana Farmers of Bihar" by Asar Social Impact Advisors, Kumar said 21 multi-purpose cooperative societies have already been formed in the Mithilanchal region to support makhana production. "But we need to set up more such societies in districts like Araria, Katihar, Purnea, Kishanganj, Saharsa, Madhepura, and Supaul to ensure fair returns for makhana growers," he said, adding that this would be done in the coming months. Kumar stressed the need for convergence with other departments such as agriculture, and environment, forest and climate change, to expand the makhana farming area to about 2 lakh hectares from the current 15,000 hectares. "Green vegetables from Bihar are now marketed in Dubai through cooperative societies. Makhana growers too will get good returns if their products are properly branded and marketed," added Kumar, a former agriculture minister. The minister highlighted the growing role of women in this sector, citing the example of women-led makhana companies in Supaul. "I will make every effort to implement the report's recommendations with support from other departments," he said. The report noted that makhana cultivation in the ponds, wetlands, and lakes of north Bihar is highly water-dependent. Erratic rainfall patterns due to climate change have disrupted farming. In 2024 alone, 40 rivers across Bihar dried up by March, and severe water shortages in April-May hampered timely planting in lowland wetlands, putting makhana cultivation at risk. According to Mangal Anand Jha, a Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) scientist in Madhubani, makhana requires ideal conditions of 20-35degC temperature, 50-90% humidity, and 1000-2500 mm of annual rainfall. However, temperatures are now exceeding 40degC, humidity has dropped to 40-45%, and rainfall has declined to about 800 mm, severely affecting productivity. The report pointed out that traditional makhana farmers-mainly from the Kol, Chain, and Vanpar communities-possess rich generational knowledge of aquatic resources but are often landless. This excludes them from government schemes like the Rs.80,000-per-acre subsidy, crop insurance, and equipment assistance. Farmers also raised concerns about the absence of crop-specific herbicides for makhana. Many farmers are turning to makhana cultivation owing to rising prices following the award of a geographical indication (GI) tag, better market prospects, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of a Makhana Board in Bihar....