Context:
Union Budget announced the establishment of a Makhana Board
Makhana Board:
- Purpose – To enhance production, processing, and value addition of Makhana.
- Ministry – Ministry of Commerce
- Location – Bihar
- Bihar is the largest producer of makhana in India, accounting for an estimated 90% of production
- Mainly cultivated by Mallahs community in Bihar
Makhana:
- Dried edible seed of the water lily
- Also known as – Fox nut
- Habitat – Found in freshwater bodies across South and East Asia.
- Referred to as the ‘Black Diamond’ due to its dark outer layer.
- Nutritional Value – Low in fat, high in carbohydrates, and a good source of protein.
- Major Producing Regions – Bihar, Assam, Manipur, West Bengal, Tripura, and Odisha.
- Also grown in Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Japan, and Korea.
- Geographical Indication (GI) Tag – Mithila Makhana received the GI tag in 2022.
- Climatic Conditions –
- Thrives in tropical and subtropical regions.
- Grown in stagnant water bodies such as ponds, lakes, ditches, wetlands, and land depressions
- Ideal Conditions –
- Temperature Range: 20°C – 35°C
- Annual Rainfall: 100 – 250 cm
Source: IE
Previous Year Question
With reference to the “Tea Board” in India, consider the following statements:
1. The Tea Board is a statutory body.
2. It is a regulatory body attached to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
3. The Tea Board’s Head Office is situated in Bengaluru.
4. The Board has overseas offices at Dubai and Moscow.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 4
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
The Tea Board is functioning as a statutory body of the Central Government under the Ministry of Commerce. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
Its headquarters is located in Kolkata. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.
