First Meeting of National Makhana Board Signals Push to Modernize India’s Makhana Sector
India’s National Makhana Board held its first meeting in New Delhi, outlining a Rs 476-crore roadmap to modernize makhana production, value addition, and exports.
Introduction: A Small Seed With a Big National Ambition
On December 12, inside the corridors of Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi, a quiet but consequential meeting took place—one that could reshape the future of one of India’s most distinctive agricultural products. The first official meeting of the National Makhana Board marked a turning point for makhana, the humble aquatic seed long associated with Bihar’s Mithila region but now emerging as a global superfood. The gathering signaled the Union government’s intent to move makhana from traditional ponds to modern value chains, global markets, and science-backed cultivation systems.
At a time when India is rethinking how niche crops can power rural incomes and exports, makhana has found itself at the center of a national strategy.
Context & Background: What Exactly Is Makhana?
Makhana is the popped seed of the gorgon nut plant (Euryale ferox), an aquatic species that thrives in still water bodies such as ponds, lakes, and wetlands. Though commonly called fox nuts or lotus seeds in popular usage, these terms are botanically inaccurate. Makhana has no relation to either lotus plants or true fox nuts; the scientifically correct term is gorgon nut.
In India, makhana cultivation is deeply rooted in the Mithila region of Bihar, which alone contributes around 85 percent of the country’s total output. Smaller cultivation pockets also exist in West Bengal, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. Beyond India, makhana is grown across tropical and sub-tropical regions of Asia, including China, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
Nutritionally rich—low in fat, high in protein, fiber, and essential minerals—makhana has gained global attention as a plant-based, gluten-free superfood. This rising demand has amplified the need for organized production, quality control, and export-ready branding.
Main Developments: Inside the First Meeting of the National Makhana Board
The inaugural meeting of the National Makhana Board was convened just months after its official launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bihar on September 15. The Board itself was announced in the Union Budget 2025–26, underscoring its policy importance.
India currently accounts for nearly 80 percent of global makhana production, giving it a natural advantage in shaping international supply chains. The newly constituted Board aims to convert this dominance into sustained economic value.
During the meeting, officials discussed a comprehensive roadmap covering the entire makhana ecosystem—from farm-level practices to international marketing. The Board’s primary objectives include improving production and productivity, modernizing processing techniques, enabling value addition, strengthening branding, and expanding exports.
A major pillar of this effort is the Central Sector Scheme for Development of Makhana, approved with an outlay of Rs 476.03 crore for six years, from 2025–26 to 2030–31. The scheme emphasizes scientific research, quality seed production, farmer training, improved harvesting and post-harvest management, and the adoption of modern processing technologies.
The meeting also highlighted the role of the ICAR–National Research Centre on Makhana in Darbhanga, Bihar. The district’s recognition under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative positions it as a national hub for makhana research, innovation, and best practices.
Expert Insight & Public Sentiment: A Long-Overdue Intervention
Agricultural experts have long argued that makhana farmers operate within an informal and labor-intensive system, vulnerable to climate variability and market fluctuations. The creation of a dedicated national board is widely seen as a corrective step.
Policy analysts note that unlike staple crops, makhana requires specialized aquatic farming knowledge, making targeted research and extension services critical. The Board’s focus on scientific cultivation and mechanized harvesting could significantly reduce drudgery, especially for women, who form a substantial part of the traditional workforce.
Farmer groups in Bihar have welcomed the initiative, expressing hope that structured procurement, branding, and export promotion will stabilize prices and reduce dependence on middlemen. The emphasis on capacity building and quality control is also expected to help Indian makhana meet stringent international food safety standards.
Impact & Implications: What Happens Next?
The implications of the National Makhana Board extend beyond agriculture. For Bihar and other producing states, it represents an opportunity to link local livelihoods with global wellness trends. Improved productivity and value addition could significantly raise farmer incomes while creating jobs in processing, packaging, logistics, and marketing.
On the trade front, India’s dominance in global production positions it to become the leading exporter of branded, premium-quality makhana products. With rising demand for healthy snacks in North America, Europe, and East Asia, the Board’s export promotion mandate could unlock new markets.
Institutionally, the Board may also serve as a model for crop-specific governance in India—demonstrating how focused policy attention, research integration, and financial backing can transform niche agricultural sectors.
Conclusion: From Traditional Ponds to Global Plates
The first meeting of the National Makhana Board was more than an administrative milestone; it was a declaration of intent. By placing makhana within a structured national framework, the government has acknowledged the crop’s economic, nutritional, and cultural value.
If effectively implemented, the Board’s initiatives could ensure that makhana’s journey—from the still waters of Mithila to health-conscious consumers worldwide—is efficient, equitable, and sustainable. In doing so, a centuries-old traditional crop may well become one of India’s modern agricultural success stories.
Disclaimer: This article is based on officially released information and policy announcements. Views expressed are analytical and intended for informational purposes only.