Fox nut farming - in pictures

  • A farm labourer harvests fox nuts, the seeds of prickly waterlilies, in Purnea, in India's eastern Bihar state. All photos: Taniya Dutta / The National
    A farm labourer harvests fox nuts, the seeds of prickly waterlilies, in Purnea, in India's eastern Bihar state. All photos: Taniya Dutta / The National
  • Labourers work waist-deep in murky water collecting the black seeds from ponds
    Labourers work waist-deep in murky water collecting the black seeds from ponds
  • A labourer with a handful of the fox nuts. They are roasted and puffed and then eaten as snacks
    A labourer with a handful of the fox nuts. They are roasted and puffed and then eaten as snacks
  • The labourers collect the seeds in horn-shaped cane baskets
    The labourers collect the seeds in horn-shaped cane baskets
  • A labourer pours the seeds of prickly water lilies, or Euryale ferox, from his basket into a sack
    A labourer pours the seeds of prickly water lilies, or Euryale ferox, from his basket into a sack
  • The seeds form in pods under the big circular leaves of the lily plant, hidden under the water
    The seeds form in pods under the big circular leaves of the lily plant, hidden under the water
  • Labourer Dilip Kumar says the work is tedious and the thorns prick his hands but he earns more than if he was working in a paddy or maize field
    Labourer Dilip Kumar says the work is tedious and the thorns prick his hands but he earns more than if he was working in a paddy or maize field
  • Seeds are bought from farms and roasted at makeshift stations across Purnea
    Seeds are bought from farms and roasted at makeshift stations across Purnea
  • The seeds are dried and then sifted to get rid of dirt and stones before they are roasted in iron woks on clay ovens
    The seeds are dried and then sifted to get rid of dirt and stones before they are roasted in iron woks on clay ovens
  • Santosh Shani sieves the seeds to get rid of any stones
    Santosh Shani sieves the seeds to get rid of any stones
  • Whole families, including children, are involved in roasting the seeds
    Whole families, including children, are involved in roasting the seeds
  • The seeds are roasted and the outer shell broken with a mallet for the puffy part to pop
    The seeds are roasted and the outer shell broken with a mallet for the puffy part to pop
  • A labourer using his stick to collect the seeds
    A labourer using his stick to collect the seeds
  • A labourer transferring seeds from his basket. Each plant yields between 75 and 125 seeds
    A labourer transferring seeds from his basket. Each plant yields between 75 and 125 seeds