National Makhana Board was constituted on 14.09.2025 in Bihar with objective to promote the production, processing, value addition, marketing and export promotion of makhana.

The Central Sector Scheme for Development of Makhana was approved on 14.09.2025 with an outlay of ₹ 476.03 crore to support the overall development of the makhana sector. Financial assistance under the scheme is provided to States by the National Makhana Board based on the approved Annual Action Plan (AAP).

As per the Second Advance Estimates (2025–26) released by the Horticulture Statistics Unit, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Bihar is the leading producer of makhana in the country, with a production of 60,000 MT in 2025–26 and an average productivity of 2.00 MT per hectare. The major producing districts are Katihar, Purnia, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Saharsa, Supaul, Araria, Madhepura and Sitamarhi.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-National Research Centre (NRC) on Makhana is situated in Darbhanga. The institute is engaged in research, technology development, capacity building and extension for enhancing the production, productivity, processing, value addition and marketing of Makhana.

Further, to promote local industries under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative of the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, makhana has been identified as the ODOP product for Araria, Katihar, Madhubani, Supaul and Saharsa including Darbhanga district.

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(This statement was given by MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 11.08.2026)

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