During his visit to Bhagalpur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honored with a garland made of fox nuts (makhana) while releasing the 19th installment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme in Bihar. Addressing the gathering, he highlighted makhana’s rising popularity as a superfood, sharing that he personally consumes it around 300 days a year. He emphasized its growing presence in urban diets and underscored the need to introduce it to international markets.
To support farmers and improve production, the government announced the establishment of a Makhana Board in this year’s budget. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that the board would enhance the production and processing of fox nuts in Bihar, the country’s largest makhana producer. The announcement comes ahead of the state’s assembly elections, making makhana a topic of political discussion.
Meanwhile, independent MP Rajesh Ranjan, also known as Pappu Yadav, criticized the state for neglecting the Seemanchal-Kosi region. He called for a shutdown in Purnea and surrounding areas on Monday, demanding the establishment of a Makhana Board in Purnea instead. Reiterating his stance on Sunday, he warned that his supporters might block railway routes between Delhi, Purnea, and Katihar if their demand remains unaddressed.
The government’s initiative to promote makhana aligns with its broader vision of boosting local agricultural industries and expanding India’s footprint in the global food market.
