Patna: Bihar’s reputation as the heart of India’s makhana production is about to reach new heights with the announcement of the formation of a Makhana Board, a move that promises to revolutionize the state’s economy and bolster its presence in the global market. As part of the Union Budget, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman revealed the creation of the board, designed to support the production, marketing, and export of makhana—an aquatic superfood that has gained immense popularity worldwide for its health benefits.
Empowering Farmers and Entrepreneurs
The Makhana Board’s establishment marks a significant step in addressing key challenges faced by farmers and entrepreneurs in Bihar’s makhana industry. With Bihar accounting for nearly 80% of India’s makhana production, the board will focus on training farmers, facilitating the development of value-added products, and promoting exports. Additionally, it will oversee schemes that directly benefit farmers, ensuring that they receive fair prices and support for scaling up production.
One of the primary goals of the board is to regulate the market price of makhana. Despite Bihar being the leading producer, the domestic price remains high—Rs 1,000 per kg—largely due to the export-driven nature of production. Currently, about 70% of Bihar’s makhana is exported, but the lack of proper documentation makes it challenging to track these exports effectively. By establishing a more robust framework, the Makhana Board aims to streamline these processes, ensuring transparency and boosting the local economy.
Makhana’s Growing Global Demand
Makhana, which is packed with 18 amino acids, calcium, and fiber, has garnered attention worldwide as a superfood due to its numerous health benefits. Known for aiding in diabetes management and promoting weight loss, it is now being exported to countries such as the United States, European nations, and the Arab world. Bihar’s unique variety, Mithila Makhana, was granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in August 2022, further elevating its status and securing its authenticity in the international market.
Dr Indu Shekhar Singh, Principal Scientist at the National Makhana Research Institute, voiced strong support for the initiative, emphasizing the board’s potential to train farmers, streamline exports, and enable the development of value-added makhana products.
Empowering Farmers and Entrepreneurs
The creation of the Makhana Board will empower thousands of farmers across Bihar. With 9,777 farmers already cultivating makhana across 10 districts—such as Darbhanga, Madhubani, and Saharsa—the board will offer much-needed financial and technical support to those working with both the traditional pond and field cultivation methods. With 3,393 villages and over 700 gram panchayats engaged in makhana farming, the board’s reach will be vast, directly benefitting the state’s rural economy.
Support for training programs, innovative farming techniques, and better product development will ensure that Bihar’s makhana industry remains competitive and globally recognized. The board’s establishment reflects a shift toward enhancing value chains, which will lead to higher quality products and better prices for farmers.
Impact on Bihar’s Agricultural Landscape
The creation of the Makhana Board is not just about market regulation—it’s a step toward transforming Bihar’s agricultural sector into a modern, export-driven industry. Alongside this initiative, the Union Budget also introduced a Pulses Mission to expand the cultivation of pulses in Bihar, further diversifying the state’s agricultural output.
Bihar’s makhana industry, with its rich history and growing global demand, is on the verge of a major transformation. The Makhana Board can act as a key catalyst in making Bihar’s mark on the world stage, benefiting farmers, entrepreneurs, and the state’s economy as a whole. As the world turns more to superfoods like makhana for their health benefits, Bihar is well-positioned to be at the forefront of this global movement.
