PATNA : Makhana is an “extraordinary blessing” for the poor in Bihar, and the state has emerged as the world’s leading centre for makhana production, covering 35,000–40,000 hectares of cultivation area, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Saturday.
The minister said that earlier, Makhana was produced in nearly 3,000 hectares.
Participating in ‘Makhana Mahotsav 2025’ held at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, Chouhan announced that the Central Government has notified the establishment of a Makhana Board to promote research, development, marketing, branding, and promotion of makhana.
The minister said that Prime Minister Modi recently extended a historic gift worth Rs. 64,000 crore to the youth, especially those from Bihar. “Bihar is witnessing showers of prosperity and development — the Sun of a developed India is shining brightly on the state’s destiny,” he remarked.He added that nearly Rs 475 crore has been sanctioned for modern machinery, new variety development, and processing facilities to boost makhana production and value addition.
Calling makhana an “extraordinary blessing” for the poor, Shri Chouhan said Bihar has now emerged not just as India’s but also the world’s leading centre for makhana production. He noted that the cultivation area, which earlier covered around 3,000 hectares, has now expanded to 35,000–40,000 hectares.
Appealing to Bihar’s youth to launch startups in the makhana sector, the Union Minister assured full support from the Central Government. “Our goal is to take makhana from India to dining tables across the world, ensuring a steady rise in farmers’ incomes,” Chouhan said.
He stated that the Centre will procure all the produce of lentils (masoor), urad, and arhar grown by Bihar’s farmers at MSP.
