Patna: Bihar is stepping up efforts to turn its famous makhana into a globally recognised superfood, with a five-year action plan targeting higher production, expanded cultivation and exports of 30,000 metric tonnes by the financial year 2030–31.
Under the Makhana Se Samriddhi Abhiyan, running from 2026–27 to 2030–31, the state government aims to double the area under makhana cultivation and strengthen Bihar’s position in international markets. The campaign will focus on production support, processing facilities, research, branding and overseas promotion.
Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said Bihar accounts for around 80–85% of India’s makhana production. The state is also working with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) to expand the international reach of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana.
The initiative seeks to create new market opportunities for farmers and help Bihar capture a larger share of the growing global demand for makhana and its value-added products.
Bihar Makhana Reaches Markets in More Than 20 Countries
Bihar’s makhana has reached markets in more than 20 countries, reflecting growing international interest in the aquatic crop and its processed products.
According to the figures shared by the state government, India exported more than 7,200 metric tonnes of makhana and value-added products in the financial year 2025–26, generating around US$22 million in export earnings.
Demand is growing in markets across the United States, the Middle East and Africa. This creates opportunities for producers and processors to reach consumers beyond domestic markets.
This year, consignments of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana reached the United States, Canada, Australia and Greece. The shipments are helping introduce the regional product to more international buyers.
One notable development was the dispatch of an 18-metric-tonne sea shipment of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana to Australia from the BIADA industrial area in Bihta. The shipment marked the first such sea consignment from the facility, according to the announcement.
Expanding exports can help strengthen the commercial value of Bihar’s makhana. However, sustained growth will depend on consistent quality, reliable supply chains, competitive pricing and compliance with the requirements of overseas markets.
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Cultivation Area to Double to 82,000 Hectares
The five-year action plan sets an ambitious target for expanding makhana cultivation across Bihar.
The government plans to increase the cultivation area from 41,000 hectares in 2025–26 to 82,000 hectares by 2030–31. It also aims to raise popped makhana production to 91,512 metric tonnes during the same period.
The export target stands at 30,000 metric tonnes by 2030–31, indicating a major planned expansion from current export levels.
To support the campaign, the annual action plan for 2026–27 has an allocation of ₹89.80 crore. The funding will support production, post-harvest infrastructure, research and development, brand building and international promotion.
Post-harvest facilities are particularly important for agricultural products that require careful handling, processing, grading and packaging. Better infrastructure can help reduce losses, maintain product quality and prepare makhana for domestic and overseas markets.
The campaign also aims to strengthen the value chain connecting growers with processors, exporters and retailers.
Makhana Farmers’ Income Rises More Than 12 Times
The state government has highlighted a substantial rise in reported makhana farming income over the past decade.
According to the figures cited by the Agriculture Minister, the baseline income from makhana cultivation stood at ₹35,000 per hectare in 2012–13. By 2025–26, it had increased to ₹4,25,750 per hectare.
This represents an increase of more than 12 times in the reported income per hectare.
The figures underline the crop’s economic potential for farmers. Makhana has emerged as a valuable agricultural product for Bihar, and stronger processing and export networks could provide additional opportunities for growers.
However, actual earnings can vary depending on cultivation costs, yields, labour requirements, access to markets and the prices farmers receive. Expanding cultivation alongside better processing and market connections will be important to ensure that growth benefits producers.
Mithila Makhana GI Tag at the Centre of Global Branding
The Geographical Indication (GI) tag gives Mithila Makhana a recognised regional identity. Bihar wants to use this distinction to improve the product’s visibility and strengthen its position in international markets.
Under Bihar Vision 2030, the government has set an ambitious branding goal: one out of every two packets of makhana consumed worldwide should carry the Mithila Makhana GI mark.
The target reflects the state’s effort to connect the product’s regional identity with quality assurance and commercial recognition.
A stronger GI-based brand could help consumers identify makhana from the Mithila region and distinguish it in a competitive market. It could also create opportunities for exporters to promote the product as a recognised regional speciality rather than an undifferentiated commodity.
Achieving this ambition will require coordinated branding, consistent product standards, effective packaging, wider retail access and stronger international distribution networks.
Processing and Value Addition to Drive the Next Phase
Bihar’s strategy extends beyond increasing raw production. The government plans to support processing, research, post-harvest facilities and international promotion to build a stronger makhana industry.
Value-added products can help businesses reach different consumer segments and potentially earn more than sales of unprocessed produce alone. Better processing capacity can also support employment in activities such as grading, packaging, logistics and product development.
APEDA’s role in export promotion can help connect Bihar’s producers and businesses with international markets. At the same time, the industry will need to maintain quality and meet destination-country standards to build lasting trade relationships.
Can Bihar Make Makhana a Global Superfood?
The Makhana Se Samriddhi Abhiyan places agriculture, food processing and exports at the centre of Bihar’s plans for the crop. Doubling the cultivation area, increasing production and targeting 30,000 metric tonnes of exports by 2030–31 will require sustained investment and effective implementation.
The growing international reach of Mithila Makhana provides a foundation for this expansion. The next stage will depend on whether the state can improve processing capacity, maintain quality, strengthen branding and ensure that farmers gain from rising demand.
If these efforts succeed, makhana could become a stronger source of rural income, agricultural enterprise and export growth for Bihar while giving the state’s regional product a more prominent place in global food markets.
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