Makhana | DD News

August 27, 2026 1:38 PM

From Bihar’s makhana to Rajasthan’s jamun and Maharashtra’s tofu, PMFME Bazaar showcases India’s grassroots food entrepreneurs

From makhana-based cookies in Bihar and preservative-free jamun products made with the help of tribal women in Rajasthan to tofu innovations in Maharashtra and millet processing in Odisha, the PMFME (Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises) Bazaar in the national capital showcased how small food enterprises are turning local ingredients, traditional knowledge and grassroots entrepreneurship into businesses with wider markets. Organised by the Ministry of Food Processin...

August 19, 2026 6:20 PM

Makhana: From Bihar’s ponds to a Rs 12,000-crore opportunity

India's makhana (fox nut) market is projected to reach Rs 11,000-12,000 crore by 2029-30, driven by rising demand, higher prices, expanding production and growing interest in health-focused snacks, according to an official factsheet. The domestic makhana market recorded annual growth of 17-18 per cent between 2021-22 and 2024-25, while average prices rose from around Rs 500 per kg in 2020-22 to nearly Rs 1,250 per kg in 2025. Production volumes, however, grew by only around 4-5 per cent betwee...

August 19, 2026 12:25 PM

Makhana: Old Snack, New Buzz

For generations, makhana has been a familiar food, particularly in Bihar and parts of eastern India. Roasted, popped and light enough to snack on by the handful, it has long been part of everyday eating as well as fasting traditions. What is changing is not makhana itself, but the way it is being viewed. As people increasingly look for snacks that are light, plant-based and less reliant on heavily processed ingredients, the humble fox nut has moved from local markets and household kitchens to ...

February 24, 2025 8:03 PM

PM Modi promotes Bihar’s ‘makhana’ as global superfood, felicitated with foxnut garland

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday emphasized the importance of Bihar’s traditional crop, Makhana (foxnut), calling it a “superfood” that should be promoted globally. Speaking at a rally in Bhagalpur, he revealed that he personally consumes makhana “at least 300 out of 365 days a year” and highlighted the government's plan to boost its production and marketing. "Now, makhana has become a staple part of breakfast in cities across the country. It is a superfood that we must now take...

February 1, 2025 12:36 PM

Nirmala Sitharaman proposes Makhana Board in Budget 2025-26

In her Budget speech on Saturday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed the formation of a Makhana Board in Bihar, aimed at supporting the state's prominent Makhana (foxnut) industry. Known for its nutritional value, Makhana is widely produced and consumed in Bihar. Sitharaman highlighted the success of the One District One Product scheme, which has significantly benefitted Makhana producers. Additionally, the Makhana Research Center has been granted national institution status, and the p...