What happened: National Makhana Board launch and Central Sector Scheme approval
The Government of India announced the establishment of the National Makhana Board in the Union Budget 2025-26 to strengthen and modernize the makhana value chain. The National Makhana Board was formally launched in Bihar on 15 September 2025.
Alongside the Board, the Government approved a Central Sector Scheme for the Development of Makhana with a total outlay of ₹ 476.03 crore for 2025-26 to 2030-31. The scheme targets multiple links of the value chain: research and innovation, quality seed availability, farmer skills, harvesting and post-harvest practices, value addition, branding and marketing, export promotion, and quality control systems.
The Central Sector Scheme for the Development of Makhana includes year-wise allocations stated in the Government announcement: ₹ 30 crore for 2025-26 and ₹ 90 crore for 2026-27.
Background and earlier position: where makhana is grown and why support is needed
Makhana is scientifically known as Euryale ferox. It is an aquatic crop grown mainly in shallow ponds, lakes, and wetlands, and the edible part is the plant seed. After roasting or processing, the seed is popped and consumed as fox nut.