Patna: Bihar’s famed makhana (fox nut) industry is poised for a dramatic upgrade, with the Centre releasing the first instalment of Rs. 100 crore under a comprehensive six-year roadmap. The project—costing Rs. 476.03 crore—aims to modernise every link in the value chain, from seed development and scientific farming to branding and global market expansion.
According to officials, the funding is intended to position Bihar Makhana as a global-quality brand, strengthening domestic sales while boosting international exports.
Where the First Rs.100 Crore Will Be Spent
The Makhana Board has already received the first tranche, to be distributed across key development sectors:
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Rs. 35.91 crore for boosting production
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Rs. 27.728 crore for post-production management
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Rs. 5 crore for research and advanced technologies
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Rs. 2.626 crore for marketing and export development
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Rs. 1.15 crore for training and extension programmes
Officials say the plan is designed to deliver scientific cultivation, high-quality seed development and a robust support system for farmers.
476-Crore Blueprint Spanning Six Years
The project covers the period 2025–26 to 2030–31, during which Rs. 476 crore will be invested entirely by the central government. The plan prioritises:
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High-quality seed production and distribution
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Scientific farming practices
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Strong domestic and international brand positioning
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Expanded processing capacity
Women-led SHGs, FPOs, cooperatives and Jeevika groups will be given preference across implementation stages.
MoU Planned With MGNREGA and Jeevika
To scale up makhana cultivation, the government is preparing MoUs with MGNREGA and Jeevika. Officials say this will help expand field- and pond-based farming, generate rural employment and promote integrated fish–makhana agriculture systems.
The plan also includes establishing:
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Large and micro-level processing units
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A Quality Control Laboratory
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A model Makhana Centre under ICAR
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New initiatives in branding and marketing
