Sample · Makhana Board: Can Bihar’s “Superfood” Become a Global Brand?
Why a Makhana Board matters for Bihar’s farmers, what the GI tag adds and where the value chain still falls short.
Key Highlights
- The Union Budget 2025-26 announced a Makhana Board in Bihar.
- Bihar grows most of India’s makhana, mainly in the Mithila region.
- Mithila Makhana received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2022.
Detailed Insights
What is makhana?
Makhana, or fox nut, is the seed of Euryale ferox, a prickly water lily that grows in ponds and wetlands. It is harvested by hand from the pond bed, then dried, roasted and popped — a slow process that employs many fishing and farming families in north Bihar.
What the Board is meant to do
The Board is meant to help farmers with better seeds and training, support processing and packaging units, and bring them under government schemes. Higher value addition inside Bihar would keep more of the final price with growers.
Challenges
Most processing is still manual, cold storage and testing facilities are limited, and traders capture much of the margin. Branding, quality standards and export links will decide whether the GI tag turns into higher incomes.
Key Concepts Involved
- Geographical Indication (GI): A tag for products whose quality or reputation comes from where they are made.
- Value addition: Processing a raw product so that it sells for more.
- Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO): A group of farmers that buys inputs and sells produce together.