The National Makhana Board held its first board meeting at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, under the chairmanship of Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, marking the formal rollout of a Rs 476-crore Central Sector Scheme for holistic development of the makhana sector. The meeting reviewed Annual Action Plans submitted by states and research institutions and approved budget allocations for key developmental components.
The Board stressed consolidation of seed requirements from states, to be met through State Agricultural University, Sabour and Central Agricultural University, Samastipur in Bihar. It was also decided that SAU, CAU and NRC Makhana, Darbhanga will train master trainers from various states on advanced technologies across the makhana value chain to promote cultivation in both traditional and non-traditional areas.
Emphasis was laid on need-based research, improved cultivation and processing technologies, infrastructure for grading, drying, popping and packaging, value addition, branding, market linkages and export readiness. The meeting set a coordinated, scientific and market-oriented roadmap for strengthening India’s makhana sector nationwide.
