Women’s Self-Help Groups Begin Makhana Production Across 29 Acres; Harvesting to Be Launched on October 13
Dhamtari, October 2026: Makhana cultivation is emerging as a promising avenue for increasing farmers’ income and creating new livelihood opportunities in Chhattisgarh’s Dhamtari district under the Seva Sankalp Campaign. The initiative aims to economically empower women’s self-help groups, encourage agricultural innovation and open up new avenues of prosperity alongside traditional farming.
Recognising the potential of makhana cultivation in the district, the district administration and the Horticulture Department are providing farmers with technical guidance and encouragement to adopt this alternative crop alongside conventional crops such as paddy.
Makhana cultivation begins across 42 hectares
Under the Central Sector Scheme for Development of Makhana, Dhamtari district was allotted a physical target of 66 hectares for pond-based makhana cultivation during 2025–26. Against this target, cultivation has been initiated across 42 hectares in various gram panchayats of the district.
The initiative is an important step towards promoting agricultural diversification and providing farmers with profitable alternatives to traditional farming. Officials expect the expansion of makhana cultivation to create additional income opportunities and strengthen the rural economy.
Women’s self-help groups take the lead
Women’s self-help groups in Chhati and Dandesara villages have taken the initiative to cultivate makhana over a combined area of 29 acres. The Shailputri Self-Help Group and the Nai Kiran Self-Help Group are involved in the production, with harvesting scheduled to begin shortly.
The initiative is expected to generate new livelihood opportunities for women while promoting collective entrepreneurship and strengthening their economic independence.
The formal launch of makhana harvesting will take place on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. The programme is being organised under the guidance of District Panchayat Chairperson Arun Sarva and Collector Abinash Mishra.
The event aims to share the experiences of farmers already engaged in makhana cultivation and encourage more farmers across the district to adopt the crop.
Target set to expand cultivation to 100 acres
As part of efforts to expand makhana production, farmers from Senchuwa village in Dhamtari development block are also being invited to participate in the programme. They are expected to take steps towards cultivating makhana across approximately 100 acres in the coming year.
The proposed expansion is expected to give fresh momentum to agricultural diversification in the district and create alternative sources of income for farming households.
Farmers urged to participate
Deputy Director of Horticulture Pooja Kashyap Sahu has appealed to farmers from all development blocks of the district to explore the potential of makhana cultivation and participate in large numbers in the harvesting launch programme on October 13.
The event will provide farmers with an opportunity to learn about the cultivation process, technical requirements and economic prospects of makhana production.
Under the Seva Sankalp Campaign, Dhamtari’s makhana initiative seeks to combine agricultural innovation, women’s empowerment and rural livelihood development. The district administration and Horticulture Department aim to strengthen farmers’ economic conditions by encouraging crop diversification and promoting agriculture-based entrepreneurship across the district.
