PM Launches National Makhana Board In Bihar

• 16 Sep 2025

Why in News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the National Makhana Board in Purnea, Bihar as part of the Union Budget 2025 initiative. 

Key Points

• About: This new board aims to strengthen the makhana sector, enhance its production and processing, and expand its export reach globally. 
• Cost: The government has approved a Rs 475 crore development package to support these efforts.
• Focus Areas: The National Makhana Board is set to focus on key aspects of the sector's growth:
  • Raising production standards
  • Improving post-harvest management
  • Introducing innovative technologies
  • Enhancing value addition
  • Building stronger marketing and export linkages
  • Assist farmer-producer organizations, helping them access central schemes
• Ideal Geography:  The state of Bihar contributes to around 90% of India's makhana production, with the crop grown across 15,000 hectares, producing nearly 10,000 tonnes of popped makhana annually.
• The production is concentrated in the Mithilanchal region, covering nine districts in northern and eastern Bihar. 
• Districts like Madhubani, Darbhanga, and Purnea have the perfect wetland ecology for growing makhana.

Impact	Challenges
Market Growth Potential: Better grading, packaging, and branding can make Mithila Makhana a premium international product, raising farmer incomes.	Low Productivity: Farming is labor-intensive, with slow adoption of high-yield varieties.
Support for Mallah Community: Provides socio-economic uplift and jobs for the traditionally marginalized Mallah community.	Lack of Processing Units: Limited local infrastructure forces raw makhana sales at low prices to other states.
Economic Diversification: Boosts agriculture and food processing, supported by new export infrastructure like expanded airports.	Export Barriers: Poor cargo facilities and export hubs push processing to other states, limiting global reach.
Productivity Focus: Promotion of high-yield varieties like Swarna Vaidehi and Sabour Makhana-1.	Export Efforts: Small consignments sent abroad, but large-scale global presence still lacking.

Makhana

• Makhana, or fox nut, comes from the aquatic plant Euryale ferox, which grows in freshwater ponds across South and East Asia. 
  • Often called the ‘Black Diamond’ in its raw dark seed form, it turns white once popped. 
• Makhana is low in calories and fat, high in plant-based protein, and packed with dietary fibre, antioxidants, and essential minerals like magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus.
• Makhana has been part of Hindu rituals for centuries.