Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Reviews Progress On Makhana Board Formation

Patna: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha on Tuesday reviewed the progress of the proposed Makhana Board, urging swift action to finalise its establishment. The meeting was attended by Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Minor Water Resources Secretary Sandeep Kumar Pudkalkatti, Horticulture Director Abhishek Kumar, a senior scientist from Bihar Agricultural University, and a representative from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

The deputy CM emphasised the need for prompt discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to expedite the board’s formation. He directed officials to nominate Bihar’s representative for the position of vice-president on the Makhana Board and ensure that at least 50% of the board’s budget is allocated to initiatives directly linked to makhana production. He highlighted that the board would play a crucial role in supporting farmers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses engaged in the makhana sector. Expanding cultivation to non-traditional areas, he added, would not only boost production but also strengthen the makhana enterprise ecosystem.

The minister stressed the importance of encouraging makhana-based crop cycles to enhance farmers’ incomes. He called for the development of training programmes focused on emerging agricultural techniques and market strategies. Additionally, he suggested exploring the inclusion of makhana in the minimum support price (MSP) system to ensure financial security for farmers.

Recognising the growing significance of quality and certification in both domestic and international markets, Sinha announced plans for branding and organic certification initiatives to position Bihar’s makhana as a premium product with a global identity. He also advocated for the expansion of makhana processing industries and their integration with Ayurveda, underlining the potential for value-added products in health and wellness markets.