The plant is cultivated in wetlands and shallow freshwater ponds. In India, the Mithila region of Bihar, associated with the birthplace of Goddess Sita, is a major global hub for makhana production. The thorny pods of the plant contain mature, hard, black seeds resembling small beads. Makhana is produced from these seeds.
The process of producing makhana is traditional and highly labour-intensive. Farmers enter ponds and manually collect the thorny pods growing at the bottom. The black seeds extracted from the pods are then dried thoroughly under sunlight. The dried seeds are graded according to size using sieves.
The graded seeds are roasted in iron pans at a specified temperature. The roasted seeds are then cracked by beating them with wooden sticks or against stones in a specific manner. This breaks the hard black outer shell, allowing the soft white kernel inside to pop out like popcorn.
The popped white makhana kernels are separated from the broken shells, cleaned and packed for sale. No chemicals or artificial methods are used in this process, making makhana a natural and nutritious food product.
A press conference on makhana production was held today at Krishi Bhavan in Patna, the capital of Bihar, which leads the country in makhana production. Dr. Rakesh Kumar, officer in charge of makhana production, Rakesh Kumar, Joint Director of Horticulture, and Pradeep Hazari, Horticulture Consultant, participated in the press conference.
Horticulture Consultant Pradeep Hazari said that Bihar has around 52 lakh hectares under maize cultivation, 32 lakh hectares under paddy and 32 lakh hectares under wheat, besides various pulses and other crops.
Makhana is cultivated on less than one per cent of Bihar’s total agricultural area. Despite this, the state accounts for more than 85 per cent of India’s total makhana production. Makhana grown in the Mithila region has received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag and has received good acceptance globally. It is exported to countries including Canada, the United States and various European nations.
Water is the most important basic requirement for makhana cultivation. Bihar has adequate water resources. The second major requirement is skilled labourers who can work while remaining in the water, and such workers are available only in limited numbers. Most people involved in makhana production do not own land. Landowners generally lease their land to cultivators. People belonging to a particular community are predominantly involved in this cultivation.
Makhana cultivation provides a assured income of around ₹4 lakh to ₹5 lakh per hectare. Sowing is carried out between January and March, followed by harvesting around October, approximately seven months later. It is a one-year crop and can be cultivated only once a year.
Makhana is cultivated in 21 districts in the northern part of Bihar. For the financial year 2026–27, ₹8,760.66 lakh has been allocated for its production and development.
In 2025–26, makhana was cultivated on 41,000 hectares, producing 36,000 metric tonnes. Under a five-year plan, the state has set a target of cultivating makhana on 82,000 hectares and producing 1,83,024 metric tonnes by 2030–31. A target has also been set to export 30,000 metric tonnes.
Regarding prices, makhana exported to foreign countries can fetch up to ₹3,500 per kg. In urban supermarkets, it is sold for up to ₹2,000 per kg, while makhana sold on roadside markets in production areas is priced at around ₹500 per kg.
P. Velmurugan
Central Bureau of Communication
Tirunelveli