Impacts of Climate Change on Cultivation of Makhana (Euryale ferox Salisb.) and Biocontrol of Associated Weeds-A Case Study of Darbhanga District in Bihar, India

Abstract

Climate change across continents is having its impacts in various ways. Agriculture also is being affected in its own ways. A crop like Makhana (Euryale ferox Salisb.) that is being cultivated in the stagnant water bodies of  about 10 districts of Mithila area in north Bihar is also suffering from the problem of diminished supply of water. Smaller rivers are getting dried up and ponds are also facing the same predicament. Farmers are adapting to this new situation and are cultivating Makhana in otherwise arable plots with 1.5 to 2 feet water. Method of transplantation is being practiced. In a way it helps skipping the attack of some initial pests on the crop. But another problem emerges in the form of springing up of unwanted weeds like species of Pontederia, Jussiaea, Marsilea, Eichhornia,Scirpus etc. Farmers are making their own innovation by integrating fish aquaculture with that of E. ferox . The combination of fish types adopted by the farmers also helps in control of weeds infesting Makhana ponds.

The paper takes into account the present state of affairs faced by Makhana farmers in Darbhanga district and the ways that they choose to tackle with the situation as a sequel to climate resilience.