On February 1, 2025, during the much-anticipated Union Budget presentation, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the establishment of a Makhana Board aimed at enhancing the state’s flourishing Makhana (fox nut) industry. This initiative, which has captured considerable public attention, aligns with Bihar’s ambition to solidify its status as the nation’s leading producer of Makhana, accounting for approximately 85% of the total production.
Sitharaman's announcement dovetails with recent discussions led by billionaire entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha. Just days prior, on January 17, Kamath took social media by storm with his insights on the potential of Makhana. Describing it as "a superfood with the potential to become a Rs 6,000 crore industry," Kamath expressed optimism about the creation of a substantial Indian brand capable of competing globally. His post, accompanied by visuals highlighting Makhana’s health benefits, underscored the crop’s inefficiencies and the urgent need for improvement—only about 2% of popped seeds currently meet export quality standards.
During her budget presentation, Sitharaman emphasized the growing global demand for nutritious foods and outlined how the Makhana Board would provide training and support to farmers. "With rising income levels, the consumption of fruits is also increasing, and remuneration for farmers will also grow... There is a special opportunity in Bihar — the Makhana Board will be established to provide training and support to Makhana farmers," she declared.
This initiative also holds considerable political significance. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has long envisioned placing at least one food item from Bihar on every Indian’s plate. The formation of the Makhana Board is widely viewed as strategically beneficial for the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), particularly as the state gears up for Assembly polls scheduled for October-November 2025. Political analysts believe this initiative could galvanize support from Makhana-dependent regions like Mithilanchal, Kosi, and Seemanchal, where the board's expected financial and technological backing is much needed.
Bihar’s Makhana production has expanded significantly over the years. Official data reveals the crop is cultivated across 35,000 hectares by around 25,000 farmers, primarily in regions such as Madhubani, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, Saharsa, and Purnea. Bihar Agriculture Minister Mangal Pandey affirmed at last year's Makhana Mahotsav, "We will work hard to cultivate more and produce more Makhana, which is to this day, labor-intensive work." The state continues to push for higher production aims, intending to increase the number of Makhana farmers from 50,000 to 100,000 within three years.
Satyendar Jha, one such farmer from Madhubani, expressed hope for the future: "If such a Board helps Makhana-growing farmers with financial and technical support and provides marketing, it is going to be a new opportunity for us. Makhana-growing farmers are poor and facing numerous challenges due to lack of facilities and proper support."
Makhana, also known as fox nuts, is derived from the prickly water lily, and its production has surged, partly thanks to its rising popularity as health food—low in calories, but high in nutrients like magnesium and potassium. The economic potential, illustrated by statistics from CNBCTV18, revealed India’s Makhana market was valued at Rs 7.8 billion back in 2023, expected to expand at nearly 10% annually, reaching Rs 18.9 billion by 2032. The price of Makhana has seen substantial increases, reportedly rising from Rs 1,000 per kilo ten years ago to as high as Rs 8,000 per kilogram.
With the establishment of the new Makhana Board, the government aims not only to provide financial assistance but also to promote sustainable farming practices by organizing local producers under Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). This structure could facilitate improved marketing strategies, value addition, and overall production efficacy for Makhana. The Board is expected to enable farmers to receive the benefits of all relevant government schemes, along with necessary training, holding the potential to revolutionize the Makhana industry.
Highlights from the budget also included plans for awarding Geographical Indication (GI) status to Mithila Makhana, which could serve to bolster sales and recognition for the local product on both national and international platforms. With such initiatives coming to light, Bihar's agricultural sector could see transformative growth, potentially lifting thousands of farming families out of poverty.
The establishment of the Makhana Board marks not just an agricultural policy shift, but also signifies the government’s commitment to empowering its farmers. By providing much-needed support and infrastructure, the hope is for Bihar to lead the nation both economically and nutritionally through its celebrated Makhana.