At the core of the global superfood trend lies the hard work and traditional expertise of over 10 lakh makhana farmers in Bihar. As of 2026, these farmers are no longer just traditional cultivators; they are the backbone of a high-growth agricultural economy. At PLS Agro Foods, we believe that the quality of our makhana is a direct reflection of the lives of our farmers. By operating a "Direct-to-Farmer" sourcing model in Katihar and Purnea, we ensure that the premium quality of our fox nuts starts with empowered rural communities.
The 2026 Shift: Modernizing Traditional Wisdom
The lives of makhana farmers in Bihar have seen a massive transformation following the establishment of the National Makhana Board. Traditionally, farmers belonged to the Mallah community, harvesting seeds from the bottom of deep ponds—a labor-intensive and often dangerous process. Today, we are helping our farmer partners transition to the "Field-System" of cultivation:
1. Sustainable Agriculture: In the field system, makhana is grown in shallow, 2-3 foot deep fields rather than deep ponds. This allows for inter-cropping with fish and other aquatic crops, significantly increasing the farmer's annual income.
2. High-Yield Varieties: We provide our network with certified seeds like Sabour Makhana-1 and Swarna Vaidehi. These varieties produce larger, more uniform "Guri" (seeds), which translates to higher percentages of 7+ Suta (Jumbo) flakes during processing.
3. Fair Trade & Direct Market Access: For decades, farmers were exploited by "Arhatiyas" (middlemen). Our model eliminates these layers. By sourcing directly, we offer farmers "farm-gate" prices that are 20-30% higher than traditional mandi rates, ensuring that the wealth generated by the "White Gold" revolution stays in the village.
4. Climate Resilience: With the 2025-26 government subsidies covering up to 75% of cultivation costs, we assist our farmers in adopting climate-smart techniques to protect their crops from the unpredictable monsoon floods of North Bihar.
Why Our Farmer Network Matters to You
When you choose PLS Agro Foods as your B2B partner, you are supporting a transparent and ethical supply chain. We don't just buy a product; we invest in the people who grow it. Every bag of our GI-tagged Mithila Makhana is traceable back to the specific farmer group in the Katihar-Seemanchal belt. This traceability is vital for modern global brands that value social responsibility and organic-aligned sourcing.
Our farmers are the guardians of a 2,000-year-old tradition. By combining their generational knowledge with our modern industrial grading and global logistics, we bring you a product that is as ethical as it is nutritious. Whether you are a health-food brand in Europe or a supermarket chain in India, our direct link to the makhana farmers of Bihar guarantees you the freshest, most authentic crop available in the 2026 market.
Experience the Purity of Farmer-Direct Sourcing
Want to know more about our ethical sourcing or order a sample of our farmer-direct crop? Contact PLS Agro Foods today.