Mithila Makhana GI Tagमिथिला मखाना जीआई टैग
The Mithila Makhana Geographical Indication (GI) tag is a formal recognition by the Government of India that makhana grown in the Mithila region of Bihar has distinct qualities and reputation attributable to its geographic origin.
Registered under the Geographical Indications of Goods Act, the Mithila Makhana GI tag covers the traditional makhana-growing belt of Bihar, including Darbhanga, Madhubani, Purnia, Katihar, Saharsa, Supaul, and Kishanganj districts. The GI registration recognises that the unique mineral composition of Gangetic silt, the region's specific water chemistry, and centuries of traditional cultivation knowledge produce makhana with distinct characteristics not reproducible elsewhere. For buyers, the GI tag is a quality assurance signal — it means the product comes from the recognised origin region and has been cultivated using traditional methods. For farmers, GI registration supports premium pricing and geographic branding. Golden Deer sources exclusively from GI-tagged Mithila region cooperatives.
Related Terms
Euryale ferox is the scientific name of the aquatic plant that produces makhana seeds — a prickly water lily native to stagnant wetlands across South and East Asia, with its largest commercial cultivation in the Gangetic plains of Bihar, India.
Hand Sortingहाथ से छँटाईHand sorting is the manual process of grading raw makhana seeds by size, colour, and integrity — removing discoloured seeds, broken pieces, and undersized grains to ensure consistent quality before popping or packaging.
Thurri (Raw Seed)थुर्रीThurri (थुर्री) is the Bihar trade term for raw, unpopped makhana seeds — hard, dark-brown-to-black seeds harvested directly from Euryale ferox seed pods, dried to 12–14 % moisture for storage and trade.