Patna: India may be the world’s largest producer of Makhana, but industry experts say converting that production advantage into global market leadership will require significant improvements in quality standards, branding, logistics and market transparency.
These issues were at the centre of the ‘Makhana Dialogue: Strengthening the Market Ecosystem’, organised in Patna by Pragya Sansthan in collaboration with the Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna (CIMP), with the Advanced Study Institute of Asia (ASIA) serving as the knowledge partner. The event brought together Makhana growers, processors, exporters, entrepreneurs, researchers and policymakers to discuss ways to strengthen the crop’s value chain and expand its presence in domestic and international markets.
Why India’s Makhana Industry Is at a Crossroads
Welcoming participants, Kumod Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of the CIMP Business Incubation and Innovation Foundation (CIMP BIIF) and President of TiE Patna, said collaboration among stakeholders would be essential to unlock the sector’s long-term potential.
Kamlakant Pathak, Associate Director of Pragya Sansthan, outlined the objectives of the dialogue and moderated the technical sessions, which focused on the structural challenges affecting the industry.
Experts Highlight Opportunities Beyond Production
Presenting an overview of the sector, Shivani Singh of the Advanced Study Institute of Asia said India continues to dominate global Makhana production at a time when international demand is steadily increasing.
According to her presentation, emerging export opportunities, changing consumer preferences and growing interest in healthy foods offer significant scope for expansion. However, she said strategic interventions would be required to strengthen India’s competitiveness in overseas markets.
Quality, Pricing and Logistics Emerge as Key Challenges
Participants discussed several issues affecting the Makhana value chain, including price volatility, the absence of standardised grading and pricing systems, inconsistent quality standards and logistical challenges in transporting produce from Bihar’s Mithila region to domestic and international markets.
Delegates also examined the need for greater investment in value addition, branding, exports, innovation and accredited testing laboratories. Discussions highlighted the importance of robust quality certification systems that could help build confidence among international buyers.
Several participants argued that creating a distinct global identity for Indian Makhana would be essential if the product is to compete successfully in premium international food markets.
Call for Stronger Policy Support
Delivering the keynote address, Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks Unnat Pandit said Makhana has the potential to emerge as a globally recognised Indian superfood.
He emphasised that stronger market linkages, standardised pricing mechanisms, improved logistics, value addition and policy support would be needed to develop a globally competitive ecosystem. He also highlighted the importance of intellectual property protection, scientific research, quality assurance and innovation in strengthening India’s international position.
According to Pandit, establishing recognised quality benchmarks and encouraging institutional support could help position Indian Makhana as a premium agricultural product in global markets.
Industry Seeks Better Coordination Across the Value Chain
Participants observed that while India leads the world in Makhana production, increasing farmers’ incomes and expanding exports would require closer cooperation between producers, processors, traders, exporters, researchers, financial institutions and government agencies.
The discussions also underscored the need for policy measures to encourage entrepreneurship, support product diversification and improve infrastructure across the supply chain.
Representatives from across the sector, including Lily Jha of Organic Sattva, Abhinav Jha of Tirhutwala.com, Keshav Kumar of Mithila Bhoj and Ajay Kumar of Bodhika, shared their experiences on production, processing, branding, logistics and market access.
What’s Next for the Makhana Sector?
The dialogue concluded with participants agreeing on the need for sustained collaboration between government institutions, research organisations, industry stakeholders and farmer groups to strengthen the Makhana ecosystem.
According to the organisers, the recommendations emerging from the discussions will contribute to future policy deliberations aimed at improving the entire value chain—from production and scientific processing to branding, exports and global market integration—as India seeks to establish Makhana as a premium agri-food product with a stronger international identity.
