PURNEA, April 5 -- The proposed Makhana research centre at Saharsa bypassing Purnea has snowballed into a controversy with agriculture experts as well farming community especially makhana growers in Purnea division declaring it a step-motherly treatment with Purnea where tremendous research for the makhana (fox nuts) has revolutionised its cultivation in Bihar. They have sought intervention from the Bihar government to establish the research centre in Purnea. Social activist Vijay Kumar Shreevasatava who has written to the Bihar agriculture minister in this regard declared it nothing but sheer wastage of money. "Bhola Paswan Shastri Agricultural College (BPSAC) spread over 208 acres is equipped with a makhana development project working here for over a decade," he said while comparing Saharsa's Mandan Bharti Agriculture College which has just 75 acres of land. Besides, BPSAC is the lone state level nodal centre for makhana and it has developed 25 acres of land in the campus for the research of makhana. It has been interacting with the farmers promoting them to grow more makhana. "BPSAC was the only college considered a 'centre of excellence' during the fourth agriculture roadmap (2023-28)," Shreevasatava said adding "This shows that the college excels in fostering innovation, research and collaboration." In Bihar, makhana is produced over the area of 40,400 hectares with 92, 705 tons of seeds produced while 45,000 tons processed makhana is produced. Out of the total area, Purnea, Katihar, Araria and Kishanganj in Seemanchal and Saharsa, Supaul and Madhepura besides Khagaria grow super food makhana over 31, 497 hectares with 74, 901 tons seeds and 37, 450 tons processed makhana is produced. Darbhanga, Sitamarhi and Madhubani grow makhana in 8902 hectares and seeds are produced 17, 805 tons and 7122 tons processed makhana is produced. "Ever since BPSAC Sabour Makhana-1 (national Identity-620551), the high yielding variety invented by the team of BPSAC scientists in 2016, it revolutionized the farming of makhana," Principal investigator Dr Anil Kumar said, admitting "Still we have to do a lot of research for the development of makhana." On the other hand, a progressive makhana grower, Mohammad Taimur Ali, a resident of Hasanganj in Katihar expressing dismay over establishment of makhana research centre at Saharsa bypassing Purnea said, "This will demotivate the farming of makhana in the region." Appreciating BPSAC scientists, he said, "The seeds supplied by BPSAC have not only increased the production but also the quality of makhana."...