In northern India, the farming of makhana, also known as lotus seeds, is becoming popular as a superfood because it’s very nutritious. Instead of the traditional way of diving into deep, muddy ponds to harvest makhana, farmers like Phool dev Shahni are now growing it in fields with shallower water. This makes it easier and more profitable for them.

Dr. Manoj Kumar, a scientist at the National Research Centre for Makhana, has helped change how makhana is grown by figuring out how to grow lilies in fields with less water. This has not only made farmers earn more money but also helped them deal with unpredictable weather and floods. More farmers are now growing makhana, and the farming area has grown a lot in recent years.

Dhirendra Kumar, a farmer who started growing makhana, has had great success on his family farm. By growing makhana, he has made more money and provided jobs for local women. Other farmers in the region are also switching to makhana because it’s more sustainable and profitable than their usual crops.

Companies like Madhubani Makhana are working on better ways to process makhana, like machines to roast and pop the seeds efficiently. These improvements have made makhana better quality, increased production, and safer processing. Even though more makhana is being produced, the demand for it worldwide is going up, which should keep prices steady. The move to makhana farming is changing agriculture in Bihar, bringing new ideas, more money, and jobs. With more farmers and companies getting into makhana, the industry is set to grow more, offering a bright future for farming in the region.

Original news source: The ‘superfood’ taking over fields in northern India (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Charades
Instructions: Divide the students into two teams. Write down words related to the article on separate pieces of paper (e.g., makhana, lotus seeds, farmer, superfood). One student from each team will pick a word and act it out without speaking while their team tries to guess the word.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Ask students to think about whether they would consider trying makhana as a new food based on the information in the article. Have them write down their opinion and one reason to support it. Then, divide the class into small groups to discuss their opinions and reasons. Finally, conduct a class poll to see the overall opinion.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write down key vocabulary words from the article (e.g., nutritious, profitable, sustainable) on separate pieces of paper. One student at a time will pick a word and have to draw it on the board without writing any letters or numbers. Their team will try to guess the word based on the drawing.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the students into small groups and ask them to discuss the pros and cons of switching to makhana farming based on the information in the article. Have each group write down their points and then share them with the class. Encourage a class discussion on the topic.

– News Reporter Role-play
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. One student will be the news reporter, and the other will be a farmer mentioned in the article. The news reporter will ask questions about the farmer’s experience with growing makhana and the impact it has had on their life. Encourage students to be creative and ask follow-up questions to deepen the role-play.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What is making the farming of makhana popular in northern India?
2. How has the traditional way of harvesting makhana changed for farmers like Phool dev Shahni?
3. How has Dr. Manoj Kumar helped improve the way makhana is grown?
4. What benefits have farmers like Dhirendra Kumar experienced from growing makhana?
5. How are companies like Madhubani Makhana working to improve the processing of makhana?
6. Why is the demand for makhana increasing worldwide, according to the article?
7. How is the move to makhana farming impacting agriculture in Bihar?
8. What does the article suggest about the future of makhana farming in the region?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In northern India, the farming of makhana, also known as lotus seeds, is becoming popular as a superfood because it’s very nutritious. Instead of the traditional way of diving into deep, muddy (1)______ to harvest makhana, farmers like Phool dev Shahni are now (2)______ it in fields with shallower (3)______. This makes it easier and more profitable for them.

Dr. Manoj Kumar, a (4)______ at the National Research Centre for Makhana, has helped (5)______ how makhana is grown by (6)______ out how to grow lilies in fields with less water. This has not only made (7)______s earn more (8)______ but also helped them deal with unpredictable weather and floods. More farmers are now growing makhana, and the farming area has grown a lot in recent years.

Dhirendra Kumar, a farmer who started growing makhana, has had great success on his family farm. By growing makhana, he has made more money and provided jobs for local (9)______. (10)______ farmers in the region are also switching to makhana because it’s more (11)______ and profitable than their usual (12)______.

Companies like Madhubani Makhana are working on better ways to process makhana, like machines to roast and pop the seeds efficiently. These improvements have made makhana better quality, increased production, and (13)______ processing. Even though more (14)______ is being produced, the (15)______ for it worldwide is going up, which should keep prices steady. The move to makhana farming is (16)______ agriculture in Bihar, bringing new ideas, more money, and jobs. With more farmers and companies getting into makhana, the industry is set to grow more, offering a bright future for farming in the region.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is a superfood, and why do you think people are interested in them?
2. How would you feel if you had to dive into deep, muddy ponds to harvest food every day?
3. Do you think it’s important for farmers to adapt to new ways of growing food? Why or why not?
4. Why do you think growing makhana in fields with shallower water is easier for farmers?
5. Do you like the idea of growing lilies in fields with less water to help farmers earn more money? Why or why not?
6. How do you think unpredictable weather and floods can affect farmers and their crops?
7. Why do you think growing makhana has provided jobs for local women in the region?
8. What do you think are the benefits of makhana farming being more sustainable and profitable for farmers?
9. Why do you think companies are investing in better ways to process makhana?
10. How do you think safer processing of makhana seeds can benefit both farmers and consumers?
11. Do you think the increase in makhana production will help keep prices steady? Why or why not?
12. Why do you think the move to makhana farming is changing agriculture in Bihar?
13. How do you think the growth of the makhana industry can bring new ideas to farming in the region?
14. Do you think the increase in makhana farming will have a positive impact on the economy of the region? Why or why not?
15. What are your thoughts on the future of farming in the region with more farmers and companies getting into makhana production?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. nutritious
2. traditional
3. harvest
4. profitable
5. unpredictable
6. sustainable
7. efficiently
8. processing
9. demand
10. agriculture
11. industry
12. region
13. improvements
14. production
15. steady

Meanings:
(A) Not able to be predicted or expected
(B) The act of gathering crops
(C) Doing something in a way that saves time and effort
(D) Changes that make something better
(E) The practice of farming, including growing crops and raising animals
(F) The need or desire for something by people
(G) The act of preparing or changing something, especially food
(H) A group of businesses that produce similar products or services
(I) Consistent and not changing suddenly
(J) Providing the necessary substances for good health and growth
(K) Making money or beneficial
(L) A specific area or part of a country
(M) The process of making or growing something
(N) Able to be maintained or continued without causing harm
(O) Following long-established customs or beliefs
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is makhana also known as?
(a) Sunflower seeds
(b) Lotus seeds
(c) Pumpkin seeds
(d) Chia seeds

2. How are farmers in northern India now growing makhana?
(a) In deep, muddy ponds
(b) In dry, arid land
(c) In high mountains
(d) In fields with shallower water

3. Who is the scientist at the National Research Centre for Makhana?
(a) Dr. Manoj Kumar
(b) Dr. Sarah Smith
(c) Dr. John Johnson
(d) Dr. Emily Brown

4. What has helped farmers deal with unpredictable weather and floods?
(a) Using more pesticides
(b) Planting more trees
(c) Growing lilies in fields with less water
(d) Building taller fences

5. What has makhana farming provided for local women?
(a) Free seeds
(b) Jobs
(c) Cooking classes
(d) Clothing

6. What are companies like Madhubani Makhana working on?
(a) Growing more flowers
(b) Making pottery
(c) Better ways to process makhana
(d) Building houses

7. What has the improvements in processing makhana led to?
(a) Decreased production and lower quality
(b) No change in quality or production
(c) More expensive seeds
(d) Better quality and increased production

8. What is the impact of the move to makhana farming in Bihar?
(a) Bringing new ideas, more money, and jobs
(b) Decreasing job opportunities
(c) Causing a decrease in crop yield
(d) No change in the agriculture industry

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Dr. Manoj Kumar, a scientist, hindered change how makhana is grown by figuring out how to grow lilies in fields with less water.
2. The shift to makhana farming is bringing old ideas, less money, and jobs to agriculture in Bihar, with the industry expected to decline further.
3. Despite the increase in makhana production, the worldwide demand for it is rising, which should keep prices stable.
4. The changes in growing makhana have made farmers earn less money and cope worse with predictable weather and floods.
5. Farmers in northern India are growing makhana, also known as lotus seeds, in fields with shallower water instead of deep, muddy ponds.
6. The improvements in makhana processing have increased production and made the quality better.
7. Dhirendra Kumar, a farmer, has been successful in growing makhana on his family farm, providing jobs for local women.
8. Companies like Madhubani Makhana are worsening the processing of makhana with machines for roasting and popping the seeds efficiently.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What is makhana and why is it becoming popular in northern India?
2. How has the farming of makhana changed from the traditional way of harvesting in deep, muddy ponds?
3. How has Dr. Manoj Kumar helped farmers in growing makhana?
4. What benefits have farmers like Dhirendra Kumar experienced from growing makhana?
5. How are companies like Madhubani Makhana improving the processing of makhana?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is making the farming of makhana popular in northern India?
The farming of makhana is becoming popular in northern India because it is considered a superfood that is very nutritious.

2. How has the traditional way of harvesting makhana changed for farmers like Phool dev Shahni?
Farmers like Phool dev Shahni have changed the traditional way of harvesting makhana by growing it in fields with shallower water instead of diving into deep, muddy ponds.

3. How has Dr. Manoj Kumar helped improve the way makhana is grown?
Dr. Manoj Kumar has helped improve the way makhana is grown by figuring out how to grow lilies in fields with less water, making it easier for farmers to cultivate makhana.

4. What benefits have farmers like Dhirendra Kumar experienced from growing makhana?
Farmers like Dhirendra Kumar have experienced benefits such as making more money and providing jobs for local women by growing makhana on their family farms.

5. How are companies like Madhubani Makhana working to improve the processing of makhana?
Companies like Madhubani Makhana are working on better ways to process makhana by using machines to roast and pop the seeds efficiently, leading to better quality, increased production, and safer processing.

6. Why is the demand for makhana increasing worldwide, according to the article?
The demand for makhana is increasing worldwide because more makhana is being produced, but the demand is also going up, which should keep prices steady.

7. How is the move to makhana farming impacting agriculture in Bihar?
The move to makhana farming is impacting agriculture in Bihar by bringing new ideas, more money, and jobs to the region, changing the traditional way of farming.

8. What does the article suggest about the future of makhana farming in the region?
The article suggests that the future of makhana farming in the region looks bright, with more farmers and companies getting into makhana farming, leading to growth in the industry and offering a promising future for farming in the region.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) ponds
(2) growing
(3) water
(4) scientist
(5) change
(6) figuring
(7) farmer
(8) money
(9) women
(10) Other
(11) sustainable
(12) crops
(13) safer
(14) makhana
(15) demand
(16) changing
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. nutritious
Answer: (J) Providing the necessary substances for good health and growth

2. traditional
Answer: (O) Following long-established customs or beliefs

3. harvest
Answer: (B) The act of gathering crops

4. profitable
Answer: (K) Making money or beneficial

5. unpredictable
Answer: (A) Not able to be predicted or expected

6. sustainable
Answer: (N) Able to be maintained or continued without causing harm

7. efficiently
Answer: (C) Doing something in a way that saves time and effort

8. processing
Answer: (G) The act of preparing or changing something, especially food

9. demand
Answer: (F) The need or desire for something by people

10. agriculture
Answer: (E) The practice of farming, including growing crops and raising animals

11. industry
Answer: (H) A group of businesses that produce similar products or services

12. region
Answer: (L) A specific area or part of a country

13. improvements
Answer: (D) Changes that make something better

14. production
Answer: (M) The process of making or growing something

15. steady
Answer: (I) Consistent and not changing suddenly
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is makhana also known as?
Answer: (b) Lotus seeds

2. How are farmers in northern India now growing makhana?
Answer: (d) In fields with shallower water

3. Who is the scientist at the National Research Centre for Makhana?
Answer: (a) Dr. Manoj Kumar

4. What has helped farmers deal with unpredictable weather and floods?
Answer: (c) Growing lilies in fields with less water

5. What has makhana farming provided for local women?
Answer: (b) Jobs

6. What are companies like Madhubani Makhana working on?
Answer: (c) Better ways to process makhana

7. What has the improvements in processing makhana led to?
Answer: (d) Better quality and increased production

8. What is the impact of the move to makhana farming in Bihar?
Answer: (a) Bringing new ideas, more money, and jobs
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Dr. Manoj Kumar, a scientist, hindered change how makhana is grown by figuring out how to grow lilies in fields with less water. (Answer: False)
2. The shift to makhana farming is bringing old ideas, less money, and jobs to agriculture in Bihar, with the industry expected to decline further. (Answer: False)
3. Despite the increase in makhana production, the worldwide demand for it is rising, which should keep prices stable. (Answer: True)
4. The changes in growing makhana have made farmers earn less money and cope worse with predictable weather and floods. (Answer: False)
5. Farmers in northern India are growing makhana, also known as lotus seeds, in fields with shallower water instead of deep, muddy ponds. (Answer: True)
6. The improvements in makhana processing have increased production and made the quality better. (Answer: True)
7. Dhirendra Kumar, a farmer, has been successful in growing makhana on his family farm, providing jobs for local women. (Answer: True)
8. Companies like Madhubani Makhana are worsening the processing of makhana with machines for roasting and popping the seeds efficiently. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧