Mahua: Commercially Important Deciduous Tree of Jharkhand

Mahua, scientifically known as Madhuca longifolia, is a commercially significant deciduous tree that plays a vital role in the economy of Jharkhand's tribal communities. The tree yields various valuable products, including edible flowers, fruits, oil-rich seeds, and timber. Mahua flowers are a source of income, sold in local markets, and the extracted oil has commercial applications. The present study was conducted in five villages/blocks: Barkagaon, Bundubatka, Lurunga, Patra, and Barsopani of Hazaribagh district and six villages/blocks: Burmu, Chama, Kedal, Baltharwa, Ramdaga, and Lapra of Ranchi District. The local village markets, Bisrampur, Harli, Badam, Balia, Gamaria, Morpiri, Burmu Chowk, Susai, Sanicher Bazar, Hutar, Bijupara, Brambe, mandar, sons madrassa and Mandis like Bhurkunda, Patratu, Ramgarh, Hazaribagh and Ranchi Pandra mandis were visited by the author to see the collection and price of the Mahua produce. The selected villages/blocks are located adjacent to the forest, and the residents' livelihoods are partially reliant on the collection of non-timber forest products (NTFP) and the sale of Mahua in the marketplace. The simple random sampling method was employed. Data collection is through household interviews, field surveys, and market surveys.