Gender Dynamics in Makhana Cultivation: Examining the Role of Mallah Community Women in Agrarian Livelihoods of Mithilanchal, Bihar

The Mithilanchal region in Bihar, India, accounts for 90% of the world’s Makhana (foxnut/Euryale ferox) production, providing livelihoods for nearly 500,000 families, primarily from the marginalized Mallah (fishing) community. The participation of Mallah women in Makhana farming reflects a broader global trend known as the “feminization of agriculture,” in which women increasingly assume essential roles in agricultural production; however, they remain largely unrecognized as farmers. Their exclusion not only marginalizes them within the agricultural economy but also restricts their access to critical resources & development policies as most machinery is designed with male physiology. This study investigates how Mallah women navigate patriarchal structures that limit their freedom & explores the gendered dynamics of agrarian livelihoods in the region, focusing on their contributions to Makhana cultivation.

The research adopts a qualitative fieldwork-based methodology, employing participant observation, in-depth & semi-structured interviews, & focus group discussions to gather data on the lived experiences. These methods aim to capture the complexities of their labor, social roles, & the socio-economic barriers they face in gaining recognition & accessing resources. The study also incorporates policy analysis & archival research to contextualize the structural exclusion of these women. The theoretical framework draws on the works of Daniel Thorner on agrarian class structures, & André Beteille’s analysis of caste & inequality, & Joan P. Mencher’s feminist critiques of agrarian economies to explore how gender & caste intersect to perpetuate their marginalization.

Findings indicate, despite their crucial role in Makhana farming, marginalization is due to lack of formal recognition in ownership, & prevailing patriarchal norms. This study calls for policies that acknowledge & support rural women's contributions, addressing the structural inequalities that limit their access to economic, social, & political spheres.

Additionally, the absence of Mallah women in sociological literature highlights the urgent need for recognition of their labor.