Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Makhana Board in Bihar’s Purnea district on Monday, establishing a dedicated framework to promote the cultivation, processing, and export of makhana (fox nut), which has gained global recognition as a superfood.
PM Modi launches National Makhana Board in Bihar
The board’s establishment was first announced in the Union Budget of 2025 and comes with Centre approval for a development package worth nearly Rs 475 crore. The initiative aims to scale up production standards, improve post-harvest management, introduce new technologies, expand value addition, and strengthen marketing and export linkages.
Officials indicate the board will support farmer-producer organizations and help makhana farmers access relevant central government schemes.
PM Modi has been a vocal advocate for makhana’s potential, stating: “I eat makhana at least 300 out of 365 days a year. It is a superfood that we must now take to global markets.”
The ‘Black Diamond’ Explained – About Makhana
Makhana, the edible seed of Euryale ferox, is an aquatic crop native to South and East Asia. The seeds are small and dark before processing, earning the nickname “Black Diamond,” and turn white when popped. Bihar’s GI-tagged Mithila variety holds significant culinary and ritual importance.
Nutritional Profile
The popped kernels are low in calories and fat while providing plant-based protein, dietary fiber, and essential minerals including magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. They also contain antioxidants and are naturally gluten-free and vegan-friendly, driving demand among health-conscious consumers.
Production and Processing
Cultivation occurs in stagnant ponds and wetlands, where farmers harvest spiky fruiting pods by wading through shallow waters. The labor-intensive processing involves drying, high-temperature roasting, and popping to yield familiar white kernels, making it crucial for livelihoods across Bihar’s Mithilanchal and Seemanchal regions.
Export Success
Bihar accounts for 90% of India’s total makhana output, with exports reaching UAE, US, and Western markets. In September 2025, a seven-metric-ton GI-tagged Mithila Makhana consignment was dispatched to New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.
The Rs 475-crore plan will modernize processing units, improve storage and packaging facilities, and support farmer cooperatives across key districts including Madhubani, Darbhanga, and Purnea.
