makhana farming

Meet five extraordinary changemakers transforming Indian agriculture with bold ideas, indigenous wisdom, and innovations that are quietly reshaping the way India farms, eats, and thrives. This September, Optum Presents The Better India Showcase, supported by the M3M Foundation, is honouring their impact.

Pratibha Bondia Kheria started Pearl Mithila Makhana in Darbhanga, Bihar, to ensure makhana farmers are getting a justified price for the makhana they source.

Viral trends may capture our attention, but it's the enduring impact of individuals and organisations that truly shapes our world. While Zomato’s Rs 20 lakh Chief of Staff role is going viral with 10,000 applicants, did you know that Dr Kalpana Sankar, a nuclear physicist, has helped create 1.5 million.

Dr Manoj Kumar’s innovative farming techniques and research are changing makhana cultivation in Bihar for good. By introducing flood-resistant methods, shallow water farming, and high-yielding lotus seed varieties, he’s helping farmers increase their incomes and meet growing global demand for this superfood.