2 days ago
Centre accepts minister's suggestions for makhana board development
Patna: Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has accepted the suggestions of Bihar industries minister Nitish Mishra regarding the development of Makhana board in the state.
Mishra on Wednesday shared Chouhan's reply to his letter on April 8, in which he had requested the agriculture and farmers welfare minister to include the industry-based framework (terms of reference) in the National Makhana Board.
"The Union agriculture minister has written a letter and informed me that the suggestions I have given are being included in the programs of the Makhana Board," Mishra stated.
Chouhan, through his letter, informed Mishra that the ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare has started the process of setting up the National Makhana Board to improve the production, processing, value addition and marketing of makhana as well as to provide training and assistance to makhana farmers after the Budget announcement 2025.
A meeting was held with makhana farmers and stakeholders at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Makhana Research Center, Darbhanga on February 23, 2025 on the establishment of the board, its objectives and the development programs to be undertaken by the board.
Mishra mentioned that makhana had global recognition as a super food. In December 2024, MoUs were signed for an investment proposal of Rs1,81,491 crore in the state at the Bihar Business Connect Investors Summit. The establishment of the makhana processing industry will make a significant contribution to the economy of agriculture-dominated Bihar, the Jhanjharpur MLA from Madhubani wrote to Chouhan.
"Along with self-reliance, it will also generate employment and investment opportunities on a large scale," Mishra said.
