Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan participated in the Makhana Mahotsav 2025 held at Gyan Bhavan, Gandhi Maidan, Patna, where he released the report titled ‘Makhana: From Culture to Prosperity’ Makhana: Sanskriti se Samridhhi. During his address, Shri Chouhan praised the makhana (fox nut) crop as a significant blessing for economically disadvantaged communities.
Bihar Emerges as a Global Hub for Makhana Production
Shri Chouhan emphasized Bihar’s transformation into not only India’s but the world’s leading producer of makhana, with the cultivation area expanding dramatically from roughly 3,000 hectares to between 35,000 and 40,000 hectares. He highlighted the recent historic ₹64,000 crore package extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to support Bihar’s youth and agriculture sector, pointing out that Bihar is now witnessing substantial prosperity and development, describing it as the “Sun of a developed India” shining brightly on the state’s future.
Support and Incentives for Farmers
The Minister referenced the recent increase in Minimum Support Price (MSP) for key pulses such as lentils (masoor), urad, and arhar, affirming that Bihar’s farmers will have all their produce procured at MSP. He noted the central government’s notification establishing a dedicated Makhana Board to boost research, development, marketing, branding, and promotion of makhana. Additionally, approximately ₹475 crore has been sanctioned to upgrade machinery, create new makhana varieties, and build processing facilities aimed at enhancing productivity and value addition.
Encouraging Entrepreneurship and Global Outreach
Shri Chouhan urged the youth of Bihar to pursue startups in the makhana sector, assuring comprehensive support from the central government. He articulated the vision to elevate makhana from a regional crop to a global presence, ensuring increased income opportunities for farmers through expanded markets.
Background and Future Prospects
Makhana cultivation, historically a labor-intensive aquatic crop primarily cultivated in Bihar’s wetlands, is integral to local economy, health, and heritage. Its nutritional profile as a superfood is increasingly recognized worldwide. The Mahotsav also highlighted challenges like climate change impacts and infrastructure gaps, calling for further investments in mechanization, storage, credit, and branding for sustained growth.
Conclusion: Makhana Mahotsav
The Makhana Mahotsav 2025 reinforced Bihar’s leadership in fox nut production and underscored the government’s concerted efforts to support farmers through innovation, policy incentives, and youth empowerment. This initiative is a vital step toward realizing the full economic potential of indigenous crops and promoting rural prosperity.
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Source: PIB
