National Makhana Board

About National Makhana Board

• The National Makhana Board is a Government initiative aimed at strengthening and modernising India’s makhana value chain.
• The Board was announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 in view of the growing importance of makhana as a high-value agricultural and food-processing product.
• It was formally launched in Bihar on 15 September 2025.
• The Board focuses on strengthening the sector across the entire value chain, from cultivation and research to processing, branding, marketing and exports.
• The initiative is particularly significant for Bihar, which accounts for nearly three-fourths of India’s makhana production and around 80–85% of global supply.

I. Focus Areas & Sectoral Support

• Research and innovation in makhana cultivation and processing.
• Improving the availability of quality seeds and planting material.
• Enhancing farmers’ skills and capacity building.
• Improving harvesting and post-harvest practices.
• Promoting processing and value addition.
• Strengthening branding and marketing of makhana products.
• Promoting exports and expanding international markets.
• Strengthening quality control systems.
• Supporting the transition of makhana from a traditional crop into a modern, value-added agri-food sector.

II. Importance of the National Makhana Board

• Global Leadership: India is the world’s largest producer of makhana.
• Bihar’s Dominance: Bihar contributes nearly three-fourths of India’s production and around 80–85% of global supply.
• Farmer Income: Strengthening processing, branding and market access can help increase value realization for farmers.
• Rural Employment: Modernisation of cultivation, processing and value addition can generate additional rural employment and agro-processing opportunities.

III. Complementary Central Sector Scheme for Development of Makhana

• The Government has approved a Central Sector Scheme for the Development of Makhana with a total outlay of ₹476.03 crore.
• Implementation Period: 2025-26 to 2030-31
• Allocation:
  • 2025-26: ₹30 crore
  • 2026-27: ₹90 crore
• The scheme complements the broader objectives of strengthening the makhana sector through:
  • Research and innovation
  • Quality seed availability
  • Farmer skill development
  • Harvesting and post-harvest management
  • Value addition
  • Branding and marketing
  • Export promotion
  • Quality control

Conclusion

The National Makhana Board represents an important institutional step towards transforming India’s makhana sector from a traditional, regionally concentrated crop into a modern global value chain. By strengthening research, quality seeds, farmer skills, post-harvest management, processing, branding, marketing and exports, the Board can contribute to higher farmer incomes, rural employment, value addition and India’s agricultural export competitiveness.