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National Makhana Board Holds Historic First Meeting: ₹476 Crore Scheme Launched To Transform India’s Fox Nut Sector

December 13–14, 2025 | Agriculture Reforms | Bihar Development | UPSC • NABARD • State PCS

By Agri-Business & Policy Correspondent

Rural Economy & Crop Diversification Analyst

Focus: Cash crops, FPOs, food processing, export value chains

The National Makhana Board held its inaugural meeting at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, marking the formal rollout of a ₹476.03 crore Central Sector Scheme (2025–2031) to modernize cultivation, processing, and branding of Indian Makhana (Fox Nut)[web:147][web:149][web:154].

In a landmark move for India’s aquatic agriculture sector, the newly constituted National Makhana Board convened its first-ever meeting on December 12–13, 2025, chaired by Agriculture Secretary Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi. The meeting operationalized a comprehensive ₹476 crore development package aimed at positioning India—and specifically Bihar—as the global hub for premium Makhana production[web:149][web:152][web:154].

The scheme fulfills a key promise from the Union Budget 2025–26 and follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official launch of the Board in Bihar earlier in September. With Bihar producing over 90% of the world’s Makhana, the Board focused on an ambitious roadmap: supplying high-yield certified seeds from research centers like NRC Makhana (Darbhanga), training farmers in modern “field-based” cultivation (moving away from traditional pond systems), and creating export-ready processing infrastructure for grading and popping[web:152][web:153][web:154].

₹476 Crore Scheme: Where Will The Money Go?

🌱 Production & Seed Revolution

• Certified Seed Supply: The Board mandated Bihar Agricultural University (Sabour) and Central Agricultural University (Samastipur) to consolidate and supply high-yield seed requirements for all states[web:152][web:154].
• Area Expansion: Promoting cultivation in non-traditional areas and integrated farming models (e.g., Makhana-cum-Fish farming) to boost farmer incomes per hectare[web:152][web:158].
• Modern Techniques: Shift from labor-intensive pond harvesting to field-based cultivation (like paddy) to reduce drudgery and improve scalability[web:154][web:158].

🏭 Processing & Value Addition

• Infrastructure Fund: Financial support for setting up modern grading, drying, roasting, and popping units to replace traditional manual processing[web:152][web:154].
• Technology Transfer: NRC Makhana (Darbhanga) will act as the knowledge hub, training master trainers from various states on mechanized processing[web:152][web:155].
• Quality Control: Establishment of quality testing labs to ensure export-grade standards for global markets like the US, Europe, and Japan[web:154][web:156].

🏷️ Branding & Market Linkages

• GI Tag Promotion: leveraging the ‘Mithila Makhana’ GI tag (awarded in 2022) to command premium prices in international markets[web:157].
• FPO Support: Strengthening Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to aggregate produce and negotiate better prices, cutting out middlemen[web:156].
• Export Readiness: Creating specific protocols for packaging and branding to position Makhana as a global “superfood” snack[web:154][web:156].

Why Makhana Matters: Bihar’s “White Gold”

🌍 Global Dominance

• Production Hub: India produces 90% of the world’s Makhana, with Bihar alone accounting for over 85–90% of domestic output[web:158].
• Key Districts: Major production centers include Darbhanga, Madhubani, Purnea, Katihar, and Sitamarhi (the Mithila region)[web:156][web:157].
• Economic Size: The domestic market is projected to reach ₹189 billion (₹18,900 crore) by 2032, driven by rising health consciousness[web:157].

💊 Nutritional Superfood

• Health Profile: Low in fat and sodium, high in protein, fiber, magnesium, and potassium—making it an ideal snack for lifestyle diseases like hypertension and diabetes[web:156].
• Religious Significance: Traditionally used as a fasting food (Vrat food) in India, ensuring consistent domestic demand[web:158].

Exam Corner: Quick Facts For Aspirants

Objective Questions (Prelims/Banking)

• **Q:** Where is the headquarters of the National Research Centre for Makhana (NRCM) located? **A:** Darbhanga, Bihar[web:158].
• **Q:** What is the outlay of the new Central Sector Scheme for Makhana development (2025–31)? **A:** ₹476.03 crore[web:154][web:155].
• **Q:** Which variety of Makhana received the GI (Geographical Indication) tag in 2022? **A:** Mithila Makhana[web:157].
• **Q:** Who chaired the first meeting of the National Makhana Board? **A:** Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi (Secretary, Agriculture)[web:149][web:151].

Descriptive Topics (Mains/NABARD)

• “The establishment of commodity-specific boards like the National Makhana Board signals a shift towards micro-management of high-value agri-export chains.” Discuss.
• Analyze the potential of the ‘One District One Product’ (ODOP) scheme in transforming Bihar’s agrarian economy with reference to Makhana.

SEO Focus Keywords:

• National Makhana Board first meeting 2025
• ₹476 crore Makhana scheme details
• Bihar Mithila Makhana GI Tag
• Shivraj Singh Chouhan Makhana Mahotsav
• NRC Makhana Darbhanga research

— End of Report —

📝 Makhana Scheme At A Glance

• Board Formed: Announced in Budget 2025–26; Launched Sept 2025[web:154].
• Scheme Outlay: ₹476.03 Crore[web:154].
• Period: 2025–26 to 2030–31 (6 Years)[web:154].
• Nodal Institute: NRC Makhana, Darbhanga[web:158].
• Key Focus: Field-based cultivation, Mechanized popping, Export branding[web:152].
• Production Share: Bihar produces ~90% of global output[web:158].
• Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Union Agriculture Minister)[web:158].

Status: Scheme Active; First Board Meeting Concluded.

Sources:

• Press Information Bureau (PIB) & Ministry of Agriculture Releases[web:150][web:151][web:155].
• Economic Times, ANI News, NDTV, and Indian Cooperative[web:147][web:148][web:149][web:154][web:156].
• Drishti IAS & Global Agriculture Reports[web:152][web:158].

Disclaimer: This article summarizes verified public information as of December 14, 2025. Figures and scheme details are based on official government announcements and are subject to periodic review.