PURNIA, Aug. 20 -- Days are not far when farmers in Rajasthan will begin cultivating aquatic seeds - fox nuts (makhana), a superfood - in their own water bodies. As many as 45 farmers from Banswara, Rajasthan, are attending a three-day interstate training programme on makhana cultivation techniques that began on Tuesday at Bhola Paswan Shastri Agricultural College (BPSAC), Purnea, a unit of Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Sabour. The programme is sponsored by the Rajasthan government's agriculture department and organised by BAU at BPSAC. Dr DR Singh, Vice-Chancellor of BAU, said, "Makhana will not only bring Rajasthan closer to Bihar but also enhance prosperity of farmers nearly 1,500 km away." He noted that Banswara-called the "Cherrapunji of Rajasthan" for receiving the highest rainfall in the state-has strong prospects for makhana cultivation. "The divine food will also strengthen cultural bonds between the two states," he added. Along with farmers, agriculture and horticulture officials from Rajasthan are also participating. "The training, which began Tuesday and runs till Thursday, includes field visits and interactions with makhana growers in the Seemanchal region," said Dr. A. K. Singh, Director Research, BAU. He added that BAU experts will later visit Banswara to monitor progress and provide continued guidance. Deputy Director Horticulture, Banswara, D. S. Garasia, who accompanied the farmers, said, "This will begin as a pilot project. If successful, makhana cultivation will expand to other parts of Rajasthan." Dr D K Mahto, Principal of BPSAC and organising secretary of the programme, said, "BPSAC is a nodal centre for makhana research. The release of the variety 'Sabour Makhana-1' in 2016 significantly boosted production, extending cultivation from ponds to agricultural fields." Currently, Bihar accounts for 90% of India's makhana production, with eight Seemanchal-Kosi districts contributing 70%. Of the 28,373 MT produced in Bihar last year, these districts alone accounted for 23,193 MT, highlighting their dominance in the sector and underlining the region's potential to emerge as a global hub for makhana cultivation and value-added products....