In News:

In the Union Budget 2025–26, Finance Minister announced the establishment of a Makhana Board in Bihar with a dedicated budget of ?100 crore to boost the production, processing, and export of Makhana (Fox Nuts).

About Makhana (Fox Nuts):

• Botanical Name: Euryale ferox
• Family: Nymphaeaceae (Water lily family)
• Description:
  • Makhana is the dried edible seed of the prickly water lily.
  • Grown in freshwater bodies across South and East Asia.
  • The plant is known for its violet and white flowers and large, round, prickly leaves.
  • Due to its black outer covering, Makhana is nicknamed the "Black Diamond."

Nutritional and Medicinal Value:

• Low in fat, rich in carbohydrates, and a good source of protein and minerals.
• Widely used in:
  • Traditional medicine
  • Health and wellness products
  • Culinary preparations such as popped Makhana (‘Lava’)

Major Producing Regions:

• India:
  • Bihar produces 90% of India’s total Makhana, especially in the Mithilanchal region.
    • Key districts: Darbhanga, Madhubani, Purnea, Katihar, Saharsa, Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, Sitamarhi.
    • The first four districts contribute 80% of Bihar’s Makhana output.
• Other Indian states: Assam, Manipur, West Bengal, Tripura, Odisha.
• Other countries: Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Japan, Korea.
• GI Tag: Mithila Makhana received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2022.

Climatic Conditions for Cultivation:

• Type: Aquatic crop; grows in stagnant water bodies (ponds, lakes, wetlands).
• Ideal Conditions:
  • Water Depth: 4–6 feet
  • Temperature: 20°C – 35°C
  • Relative Humidity: 50% – 90%
  • Annual Rainfall: 100 – 250 cm

About the Makhana Board:

• Allocated Budget: ?100 crore
• Objectives:
  • Train farmers in advanced cultivation techniques.
  • Support processing and value addition in the Makhana supply chain.
  • Facilitate financial aid and access to government schemes.
  • Develop export infrastructure and promote branding and marketing.

Makhana under ODOP Scheme:

• Recognized as a One District One Product (ODOP) commodity for Bihar.
• Under ODOP, the Union Government provides subsidies to processors for:
  • Infrastructure development
  • Branding and marketing

About ODOP Scheme:

• Launched by: Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI)
• Objective: Promote district-level economic specialization and turn each district into an export hub.
• Origin: First launched in Uttar Pradesh (2018); adopted as a national initiative under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
• Implementation:
  • In coordination with the ‘Districts as Export Hubs’ (DEH) initiative.
  • Managed by DGFT, Department of Commerce, and DPIIT.
• Significance:
  • Encourages rural entrepreneurship, local employment, and global trade linkages.
  • Strengthens district economies by scaling up traditional and unique products.