Union Budget 2025: Makhana Board in Bihar .
Budget 2025: Farm Yug Mithila Makhana, also known as foxnuts, has long been a staple crop in Bihar, particularly in the Mithilanchal region.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today unveiled the Union Budget 2025-26, which included a series of targeted initiatives for Bihar, ahead of Assembly elections in the state.
Chief among them was the establishment of a Makhana Board to boost the production, processing, and marketing of foxnuts - a key agricultural product of the state.
Farm Yug Mithila Makhana, also known as foxnuts, has long been a staple crop in Bihar, particularly in the Mithilanchal region. The product already benefits from the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme and receiving a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The board is expected to provide technical support, improve market linkages, and ensure better returns for farmers.
In her budget speech, Ms Sitharaman said that the government is focusing on four key groups - the poor (Garib), youth, farmers (Annadata), and women (Nari).
“The people involved in this will be categorised as Follow-On Public Offer (FPOs) and the Board will provide hand-holding and training support to Makhana farmers. The Board will ensure that they (farmers) receive all benefits of government schemes,” she said.
She later also mentioned that a National Institute of Food Technology, Processing and Innovation would be set up in Bihar. Stating that it will provide a fillip for entire eastern India, she added, “It will enhance farmers’ income, add value to produce, skilling and employment opportunities for youth.”
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