Published 13:21 IST, February 2nd 2025
'Makhana Board' Created In Budget 2025 - What Does It Mean?
"The Board will provide handholding and training support to makhana farmers.", Sitharaman said.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the union budget on February 1, 2025 at the Parliament of India. One of the striking initiatives announced by the minister was creation of ‘Makhana Board’.
Makhana Board : Sitharaman's Announcement
Sitharaman said, “A Makhana Board will be established in the state to improve production, processing, value addition, and marketing of makhana. The people engaged in these activities will be organized into FPOs (Follow-on Public Offer). The Board will provide handholding and training support to makhana farmers and will also work to ensure they receive the benefits of all relevant Government schemes."
Makhana Board : Who Can It Benefit?
As per One District One Product Purnea District, nearly 90 per cent of world production of Makhana comes from Bihar, Specifically the 10 District of Bihar i.e. Darbhanga, Madhubani, Sitamarhi, Katihar, Purnea, Kishanganj, Araria, Saharsha, Supaul & Madhepura. Makhana of this region has been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag by the Union Government.
As per Sakhi, a non- profit for women based out of Bihar, cultivation of Makhana is highly cumbersome, labour intensive and involve human drudgery while sweeping bottom of the water body for seed collection. It is followed by processing of raw seeds, which is equally a pain taking activity. Fishermen community belonging to the weaker section of the society is mainly involved in Makhana sector.
The fishermen/fisherwomen community of Madhubani have expertise in Makhana cultivation, like fish farming, since it is cultivated in water bodies like ponds and lakes etc. It is, therefore, their exclusive occupation as well as exclusive right, acknowledged by even government. The settlement of ponds with fisheries cooperative is done for both fish and Makhana.
While the scheme will likely benefit a niche demographic, it is still a core producer of foxnuts (makhana).
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Updated 13:21 IST, February 2nd 2025