Centre rolls out ₹476-cr plan to boost Makhana sector

The Central government has rolled out a ₹476.03-crore Central Sector Scheme for the comprehensive development of the makhana sector for the period 2025–26 to 2030–31, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said on Friday.

The initiative was taken forward at the first meeting of the National Makhana Board, chaired by Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, held at Krishi Bhawan here. The meeting marked the formal beginning of implementation of both the Board’s mandate and the newly approved scheme.

According to the ministry, the scheme focuses on research and innovation, quality seed production, farmer capacity building, improved harvesting and post-harvest management, value addition, branding and marketing, export promotion, and strengthening quality control mechanisms across the makhana value chain.

During the meeting, the Board reviewed Annual Action Plans submitted by states and research institutions and approved budget allocations for various components aimed at holistic sectoral development. Emphasis was laid on consolidating the seed requirements of states, which will be met by the State Agricultural University (SAU), Sabour, and the Central Agricultural University (CAU), Samastipur, Bihar, for the current and next agricultural year.

The Board also decided that SAU Sabour, CAU Samastipur, and the National Research Centre (NRC) for Makhana, Darbhanga, will conduct training-of-trainers programmes for officials and stakeholders from different states. These programmes will focus on the latest technological advancements in makhana cultivation, processing, and marketing, enabling expansion into non-traditional growing areas.

Stress was laid on strengthening research and development for improved cultivation and processing technologies, creation of infrastructure for grading, drying, popping and packaging, adoption of modern farming practices, value addition, brand building, market linkages, and export preparedness.

The makhana sector is a significant agro-based industry, particularly in eastern India, supporting the livelihoods of thousands of small and marginal farmers and traditional processors. With growing domestic and global demand for healthy, plant-based foods, the sector offers strong potential for value addition, nutrition security, and export-led growth.

“This foundational meeting has set the roadmap for coordinated, scientific and market-oriented growth of the makhana sector across the country,” the ministry said.

The National Makhana Board was established following the announcement made in the Union Budget 2025–26 and was formally launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bihar on September 15, 2025, marking a major step towards strengthening and modernising India’s makhana sector.