Makhananomics

Reference:

In the Budget 2025-26, Finance Minister Sitharaman has announced the formation of 'Makhana Board' in Bihar. Due to this, the word Makhananomics is in discussion.

What is Makhananomics?

• Makhananomics refers to the economy related to Makhana, which includes economic activities related to Makhana production, processing, value addition and marketing.
• According to a research estimate, the current market of Makhana in India is around Rs 8 billion.
• According to a report by market research company IMARC, by the year 2032, its market will be around Rs 19 billion.
• The total cultivation of Makhana in India is done in an area of ​​​​about 35,000 hectares.
  • The maximum area is about 15,000 hectares in Bihar.
  • Other states: West Bengal, Manipur, Tripura, Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, Odisha, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh.

Establishment of Makhana Board in Bihar:

• The Finance Minister has announced the establishment of a Makhana Board in Bihar to improve Makhana production, processing, value addition and marketing in Budget 2025-26.
  • Bihar has about 90% share in India's Makhana production.
  • In the year 2022, Mithila Makhana was given the status of Geographical Indicator (GI Tag).
  • Makhana is exported from here to countries like America, Australia, France, Japan, England etc.

Need for setting up Makhana Board:

• Low productivity
• Lack of processing infrastructure
• Export related barriers
• Absence of organized marketing chain
• Lack of awareness among farmers
• Inability to take advantage of growing demand in domestic and international markets
• Increase in overall input cost due to extremely difficult and labor-intensive process

Benefits of setting up Makhana Board:

• Increase in the development of Makhana industry in the entire country including Bihar
• Increase in Makhana production and marketing
• Training to Makhana farmers for contributing to Makhana production and promotion
• Promotion of Makhana products at international level
• Skill training and employment opportunities to youth
• Increase in demand and access to Makhana related products to the public

Makhana Industry in Bihar:

• Various districts of Bihar, such as Madhubani, Darbhanga, Purnia, Katihar, Saharsa, Madhepura, Supaul, Araria, Sitamarhi and Makhana is cultivated on a large scale in Kishanganj.
• The highest production of Makhana in the state is in Saharsa district.
• Every year 50-60 thousand tons of Makhana seeds are produced in Bihar.
• The turnover of Makhana industry in Bihar is around Rs 3000 crore and globally the turnover of this industry has reached around Rs 5000 crore.
• 25000 farmers of Bihar are involved in Makhana cultivation.

Suggestions for improvement in the Makhana industry:

• Effective implementation of financial and infrastructure schemes
• Timely establishment of processing and marketing support systems
• Coordination between the Central and State Governments
• Promotion of private sector participation
• Training and awareness campaigns

About Makhana:

• Makhana (Fox Nut) is the dried edible seed of the thorny water lily or gorgon plant (Euryle ferox), a species that grows in freshwater ponds in South and East Asia.
• The plant has purple and white flowers and large, round and thorny leaves.
• Plants often grow more than a meter wide.

Importance of Makhana:

• Offered to deities on festivals and consumed on fasting days
• Rich in antioxidants and protein
• Good source of calcium, iron, magnesium and phosphorus
  • 100 grams of Makhana contains about 347 calories. It contains 9.7 grams of protein, 14.5 grams of fiber and 76.9 grams of carbohydrates.
• Makhana is gluten free.
• Consumption of Makhana is also helpful in controlling blood sugar level, which makes it an ideal option for diabetes patients.

Cultivation of Makhana:

• Makhana is an aquatic crop which is grown in waterlogged land.
• Its nursery is planted in the month of November.
• It is transplanted in February and March.
• For a good crop, there should always be three to four feet of water in the field.
• Flowers start blooming in Makhana plants after five months of transplantation.
• It is harvested in October-November.