PURNIA, Aug. 1 -- The demand for establishing a 'Makhana Board' in Bihar's Purnia district is gaining momentum ahead of the state assembly elections scheduled in October-November this year. Members of Purnia's civil society, during a meeting held on Wednesday, resolved to intensify their campaign, asserting that the region produces nearly 70% of the state's total makhana (fox nut) output. Expressing serious concern over any move to set up the board elsewhere, civil society members said, "It would be a gross injustice to makhana growers and stakeholders if Purnia is not given priority." Notably, a reply from the Prime Minister's Office Grievance Portal (PMOGP) to a query raised by social and RTI activist Vijay Kumar Shreevasatava mentioned Darbhanga as a possible location for the board, though no final decision has yet been taken. Mithila Makhana received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2022, a recognition attributed to the dedicated research of agricultural experts and scientists. These efforts were acknowledged by the Vice Chancellor of Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Prof. Dr. D.R. Singh, who awarded them certificates of appreciation. Prof. Singh has taken a keen interest in promoting makhana research in the region, with cultivation now spread over more than 36,000 hectares. Shreevasatava emphasized that the GI tag (GI No. 696) was awarded to the Mithilanchal Makhana Utpadak Sangh, located at Saheban Hata, Janta Chowk, Purnia. He expressed concern over the confusion among top authorities linking Mithila Makhana to Darbhanga, despite the fact that 70% of Bihar's total makhana is cultivated in the Seemanchal-Kosi belt. In a significant development, BAU, Bhagalpur, was recently granted a 20-year patent (No. 568339) for discovering a novel bioactive compound - N-(2-iodophenyl) methanesulfonamide - in makhana. The patent, issued by the Indian Patent Office, is a major milestone in agricultural innovation and could pave the way for advancements in nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. Previously known only as a synthetic pharmacological agent, this compound was identified in the perisperm (nutritive tissue) of makhana. The discovery was made by a team of BAU scientists, including Anil Kumar, Pankaj Kumar Yadav, Paras Nath, V.B. Patel, and Rajesh Kumar, who are conducting extensive research at the Bhola Paswan Shastri Agricultural College in Purnia - the only state-level nodal center for makhana. The college was recognized as a 'centre of excellence' under the Fourth Agriculture Roadmap (2023-28) for its work in research, innovation, and farmer engagement....