Bihar’s Makhana has emerged as a powerful national and international brand in the financial year 2025-26, leading to a major boost in farmers’ income. This achievement follows the combined efforts of the state and central governments through various development schemes. From the formation of the National Makhana Board to the successful exports to countries like the UAE and China, Bihar is now leading the global makhana market with high-quality produce and modern processing techniques.
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Major Exports and International Market Milestones
The global journey of Bihar’s makhana saw significant progress with several high-value export shipments to international markets. These milestones have established the GI-tagged Mithila Makhana as a premium product across the world. Important export data and events are listed below:
| Date | Event Description |
|---|---|
| 21 January 2026 | 2 metric tons of Mithila Makhana sent to Dubai from Purnea. |
| 22 February 2026 | 5 tons of makhana exported to China via Bihta Dry Port. |
| 12 March 2026 | Export agreement signed with a Japanese supermarket company. |
| 20 March 2026 | Agricultural exports from Bihar crossed ₹2237.52 crore. |
Government Support and Cost-Saving Technology
The state government has expanded makhana cultivation to 16 districts, offering a 75% subsidy to farmers to encourage production. A central scheme with an outlay of ₹476.03 crore is also active to support research and branding. Additionally, a new seed extraction machine developed by ICAR and CIPHET is set to revolutionize the industry. This machine will reduce seed extraction costs from ₹100 per kg to just ₹20 per kg, making the process much more affordable for local farmers by August 2026.
- Makhana Vikas Yojana: Farmers get 75% subsidy for cultivation on 0.25 to 10 acres of land.
- Central Scheme: A budget of ₹476.03 crore approved for research and global marketing until 2031.
- HS Codes: International trade simplified with specific codes for pop makhana and powder.
- Production Growth: Cultivation area increased from 13,000 hectares to nearly 40,000 hectares.
