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Makhana Board in Bihar
Union Budget 2025-26 announced constitution of Makhana Board in Bihar under ''Agriculture as the first engine'' for India''s development journey.
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- Board will be established to improve production, processing, value addition, and marketing of makhana.
- Board will also provide handholding and training support to makhana farmers and will also work to ensure they receive the benefits of all relevant Government schemes.
- Budget Allocation: Rupee 100 crores.
- To streamline operations and improve collective bargaining power, people engaged in these activities will be organized into Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
Makhana
- Foxnut, commonly known as Makhana, is an important aquatic flowering crop with botanical name Euryale ferox (prickly water lily).
- It is a plant of tropical and subtropical climate.
- It is also referred to as the ''Black Diamond'' due to its dark outer layer.
- It is grown in stagnant perennial water bodies like ponds, land depressions, oxbow lakes, swamps and ditches with water depths of 4-6 feet.
- Makhana is now being recognized as a super food.
- Preferred Climatic conditions
- Temperature: 200C to 350 C
- Relative humidity: 50% to 90%
- Annual rainfall: 100 cm to 250 cm
- Soil: Smooth loamy soil
- Makhana plant is considered as native of South-East Asia and China.
- Major Producing Regions
- Bihar in India is the leading state accounting for ~90% of India''s makhana production.
- Other states: West Bengal, Manipur, Tripura, Assam, Jammu & Kashmir, Odisha, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh but commercially produced in few states only.
- International: Makhana is also grown in Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Japan, Russia and Korea.
Challenges in Makhana Cultivation
- Low productivity: Traditional farming methods result in lower yields, with farmers achieving only 1.7–1.9 tonnes per hectare compared to the potential 3–3.5 tonnes per hectare using modern techniques.
- Lack of processing infrastructure: Due to inadequate food processing units, raw makhana is often sold at lower prices to companies outside Bihar, reducing local farmers'' earnings.
- Export barriers: Strict global quality standards like food safety and hygiene certifications have limited exports, with only 2 percent of Bihar''s makhana meeting international requirements.
- Market inefficiencies: The absence of an organized marketing chain means farmers often receive lower prices due to the dominance of intermediaries.
- Limited awareness among farmers: Many makhana farmers lack awareness about government schemes, financial incentives, and modern agricultural practices.
- Others: Proper weed management in water bodies, better quality equipment and related accessories, better cold storage facilities etc.
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Other initiatives taken to promote
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The establishment of the Makhana Board marks a significant step towards the organized promotion, research, and commercialization of makhana cultivation in India. By addressing challenges like traditional farming inefficiencies, post-harvest losses, and limited global reach, the board can play a pivotal role in making makhana a globally competitive superfood. Sustainable cultivation practices, coupled with government initiatives, will not only boost rural livelihoods but also position makhana as a key player in India''s agri-export sector.
POSTED ON 15-05-2025 BY ADMIN
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