Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has directed officials to accelerate the formation of the Makhana Board in Bihar to ensure better pricing and support for farmers. During a virtual review meeting from Bhopal on Friday, Chouhan assessed the progress of Kharif crops, upcoming weather forecasts, and market price trends.

Emphasising the need for swift action, Chouhan instructed officials to seek input from farmers while forming the board, according to an official statement. Recently, he also promised to introduce mechanisation in makhana cultivation, a traditionally labour-intensive process. During a visit to Darbhanga recently, he personally sowed makhana seeds and highlighted plans to develop a thornless variety to ease cultivation.

“We will use the latest technology to reduce costs and increase production,” Chouhan had said, adding that the board would not be established from Krishi Bhawan in Delhi but would be designed based on farmers’ needs and ground realities.

The push for a Makhana Board gained momentum after the Union Budget 2024-25 allocated Rs 100 crore for its formation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also endorsed makhana as a “superfood,” aiming to boost its production and exports.

Makhana prices have surged dramatically over the past decade due to its labor-intensive harvesting. The process involves wading through muddy, thorn-filled ponds to extract seeds from the Euryale ferox plant. Bihar, which produces nearly 90% of the world’s makhana, faces supply constraints, further driving up costs.

Internationally, makhana prices have skyrocketed by 700%, from Rs 1,000 per kg to Rs 8,000 per kg. In India, prices have climbed from Rs 800-900 per kg to Rs 1,250 per kg in early 2025, marking a 39-50% increase. The Makhana Board is expected to address these challenges and support farmers in scaling production efficiently.