Makhana, this has become the buzzword in the February post-budget session. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced that they are going to set up Makhana Board in Bihar.
But here comes the question that we need to understand.
Why Makhana Board only in Bihar? And what is this Makhana, and what’s the current situation of Makhana in India.
But before we figure out the answers to the questions, let’s understand some basics related to Makhana.
Euryale ferox Salisb is an important aquatic crop, belonging to the family Nymphaeaceae. It is commonly known as Makhana, Gorgon nut, or Fox Nut, and grown in stagnant perennial water bodies like ponds, land depressions, oxbow lakes, swamps, and ditches.
Makhana seeds are also called Black Diamond.
According to the ICAR report, on the Status of Makhana cultivation in India, For the proper growth & development of Makhana, the conducive range of air temperature is 20°C – 35°C, relative humidity 50% – 90,% and annual rainfall 100cm-250cm.
Makhana plant is considered a native of Southeast Asia and China but distributed to almost every part of the world. In general, its distribution is extremely limited to tropical and sub-tropical regions of south-east and East Asia and is known to exist in Japan, Korea, Russia, North America, Nepal, Bangladesh, and some parts of India.
In India, it is distributed in West Bengal, Bihar, Manipur, Tripura, Assam, Jammu & Kashmir, Eastern Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
The major commercial cultivation is limited to North Bihar, Manipur, parts of west Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.
In the state of Bihar, major Makhana-producing districts include Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Saharsa, Supaul, Araria, Purnia, and Katihar.
Also, 80% of the total production of processed Makhana comes from the Darbhanga, Madhubani, Purnia, and Katihar districts alone.
The demand for makhana in India has grown steadily due to its high nutritional value and various health benefits. Despite its increasing popularity across the country, commercial production remains limited to a few regions—primarily North Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, and Manipur.
The supply chain is extensive, involving producers, processors, local wholesalers, commission agents, distant wholesalers, and retailers, ensuring makhana reaches major cities. However, the export potential of makhana remains largely untapped, with India exporting only 1% of its total production—approximately 100 tonnes of popped makhana annually.
Key players in the export market from Patna and global e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart. Major export destinations include the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Gulf nations such as the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman.
In 2019-20, India exported 11,777 tonnes of makhana and related products worth ₹138.59 crores, with the USA accounting for nearly one-third of total exports, followed by the UAE (11.54%), Nepal (9.73%), the UK (5.39%), and Australia (4.81%).
Challenges Faced by the Makhana Industry:
- Lack of Marketing: The lack of value-added products of Makhana is a major issue in its export promotion. There is a huge scope for marketing of value-added makhana snacks in the international market.
Presently, small-scale makhana processing industries are working as a highly unorganized sector.
- A significant barrier to expanding makhana exports is the absence of a dedicated HS code, as it currently falls under HS Code 19041090, which includes various other prepared foods. This lack of classification makes it difficult to track precise export data and hinders targeted policy support.
What is the HS code?
The HS Code (Harmonized System Code) is an internationally standardized system of names and numbers used to classify traded products. It was developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and is used by customs authorities worldwide to identify goods for import and export.
In the context of makhana, India currently does not have a dedicated HS code for it. Instead, makhana is classified under HS Code: 19041090, which is a broader category for “Other prepared foods obtained by the swelling or roasting of cereals or cereal products.” This means makhana is grouped with other food products, making it difficult to track its exact export data separately.
- Lack of Infrastructure: The lack of sufficient food processing units forces local farmers to sell raw makhana at lower prices to companies outside Bihar, limiting their earnings. Setting up more local processing facilities could enhance value addition and boost farmers’ incomes.
What Bihar government doing?
The Bihar Department of Agriculture has launched the Makhana Beej Vitaran initiative to promote Makhana cultivation and boost farmers’ incomes. As part of this scheme, high-yielding seed varieties like Swarn Vaidehi and Sabour Makhana-1, developed by Bihar Agricultural University, are being distributed to farmers across 11 districts.
The program will be implemented in 10 districts under Schedules 1, 2, and 3 of the approval order, covering Katihar, Purnia, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Kishanganj, Supaul, Araria, Madhepura, Saharsa, and Khagaria.
Establishment of Makhana Board: A Major Boost for the Industry
In a significant move to strengthen India’s Makhana Industry, the government announced the establishment of a Makhana Board during the Union Budget.
Key objectives of the Makhana board:
- Boosting Production:
The board will support farmers by providing high-quality seeds and promoting advanced agricultural practices. This will lead to higher yields, improved crop quality, and overall better productivity.
- Positioning Makhana as a Premium Product:
The board will focus on branding and marketing Makhana as a high-value, nutritious snack both in domestic and international markets. This includes collaborations with food industries, retail chains, and export channels.
- Providing Training and Market Support:
Farmers will receive training in best practices for cultivation, processing, and storage. Additionally, the board will facilitate market linkages, ensuring that makhana producers get access to better selling opportunities.
- Ensuring Farmers Benefit from Government Schemes:
The initiative will ensure that farmers involved in makhana cultivation can take full advantage of government schemes, subsidies, and financial assistance programs designed to support them.
With the growing demand for healthy snacks worldwide, makhana is gaining popularity as a gluten-free, high-protein alternative to conventional options. Both Indian and international companies are now packaging and branding makhana as a premium product, significantly enhancing its market value.
The establishment of the Makhana Board marks a transformative step toward strengthening Bihar’s Makhana industry. By improving production, investing in processing infrastructure, and positioning makhana as a premium global product, India is laying the foundation for long-term growth in this sector.
If both government support and private sector involvement—especially in branding, packaging, and exports—align effectively, makhana has the potential to become a game-changer for Bihar. The state can emerge as the global hub for makhana, gradually increasing India’s share in the international healthy snack market.
Beyond economic gains, this initiative will uplift Bihar’s farmers, ensuring better income, employment opportunities, and overall agricultural development. Makhana, once a regional specialty, now stands at the cusp of global recognition, and with the right push, it can truly turn around the fortunes of Bihar’s agricultural economy