Makhana, the ‘Black Diamond’

Makhana (Fox Nut) – Geography, Economy & Union Budget 2025

Key Points:

1. Union Budget 2025 Announcement:
   • A Makhana Board to be set up in Bihar to promote cultivation, processing, value addition, marketing, and training for farmers.
   • Budget allocated: ₹100 crore.
2. Geographical & Cultivation Aspects:
   • Makhana = dried edible seeds of prickly water lily (Euryale ferox), aquatic crop grown in tropical/subtropical freshwater ponds, lakes, ditches, wetlands.
   • Optimal conditions: 20–35°C temperature, 50–90% humidity, annual rainfall 100–250 cm, shallow water (4–6 feet).
3. Production & Distribution:
   • Bihar produces 90% of India’s Makhana, mainly in Darbhanga, Madhubani, Purnea, Katihar, Saharsa, Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, Sitamarhi.
   • First four districts contribute ~80% of Bihar’s total output.
   • Other states: Assam, Manipur, West Bengal, Tripura, Odisha.
   • Internationally: Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Japan, Korea.
4. GI Tag & Nutrition:
   • ‘Mithila Makhana’ awarded GI tag in 2022.
   • Nutritious: low fat, high carb, good protein source; consumed as popped snacks (‘lava’).
5. Challenges & Initiatives:
   • Bihar lacks export infrastructure; largest exporters are Punjab & Assam (despite not producing).
   • Labor-intensive cultivation → high input costs.
   • FPOs and high-yield varieties (Swarna Vaidehi, Sabour Makhana-1) encouraged.
   • Linked with One District One Product (ODOP) scheme.
     
     Updated: February 12, 2025 11:49 AM | Indian Express