Makhana
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News: The Union Budget 2025 announced the establishment of a Makhana Board in Bihar, bringing renewed attention to Makhana. 

About Makhana

  • Makhana (Fox Nut) is the dried seed of the prickly water lily plant (Euryale ferox).
  • It grows in freshwater ponds, lakes, and wetlands across South and East Asia.
  • The outer seed coat is black, which is why it is often called ‘Black Diamond.’
  • Mithila Makhana received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2022.
  • Production: Bihar produces 90% of India’s makhana, mainly in nine districts: Darbhanga, Madhubani, Purnea, Katihar, Saharsa, Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, and Sitamarhi.
  • Makhana is also grown in Assam, Manipur, West Bengal, Tripura, Odisha, as well as in Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Japan, and Korea.
  • Climatic condition for Makhana Cultivation:
    • Temperature: 20-35°C
    • Rainfall: 100-250 cm and
    • Humidity: 50-90%
About Makhana Board

  • The board has been allocated ₹100 crore to develop the Makhana industry.
  • The key objectives of the Makhana Board are: 
    • Train farmers in export-oriented production and support Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
    • Attract investments in food processing units
    • Develop export infrastructure (cargo facilities at Bihar’s airports)
    • Ensure farmers get access to government schemes
    • Increasing production and processing
    • Improve farming techniques to increase production.

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