Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inspects the Makhana-producing crops during his visit, in Darbhanga on February 23, 2025. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary also seen.
| Photo Credit: ANI
Days after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the formation of the Makhana Board in Bihar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday (February 23, 2025) interacted with makhana producers in the State’s Darbhanga district. During the interaction, he also accompanied farmers to a pond to sow makhana seeds.
Mr. Chouhan said that the Centre is preparing a framework for the Makhana Board by listening to farmers’ suggestions and their difficulties.
Along with Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Darbhanga MP Gopal Jee Thakur, the Union Minister also visited a makhana processing unit at the National Research Centre for Makhana (NRCM).
“One day, makhana will take over the world of superfoods. It has received the blessings of Janaki Maiya [goddess Janaki]. We will provide full cooperation in marketing, branding, and packaging of makhana,” Mr. Chouhan said while addressing farmers.
He informed the gathering that when he first came to Patna as the Agriculture Minister, he had held a meeting with makhana farmers in the Agriculture Building, in which they shared the challenges they faced.
“I bow to the respected Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji for establishing the National Makhana Research Centre in Darbhanga. I salute Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, under whose leadership a Makhana Board is being established in Bihar,” he added.
He pointed out that his department was also considering the inclusion of farmers who cultivate makhana on leased areas in Union government’s schemes.
On challenges faced by makhana producers, Mr. Chouhan said, ”Makhana is a superfood and a storehouse of nutrition but not easily produced. One can see how much hardship farmers endure to produce makhana. However, thornless makhana seeds and mechanisation will make farming easier.”
Praising the benefits of makhana and efforts taken by the Centre, Mr. Chouhan said to increase makhana production and quality, and to resolve issues of farmers, the Makhana Board was being formed in Bihar.
“We decided that the Makhana Board cannot be formed by sitting in the Agriculture Building, but only by walking with those for whom this board is being created. So, I have come here so that we can finalise the structure of the Makhana Board,” Mr. Chouhan said.
He added, “Makhana Board will go forward in the direction of its value, research, mechanisation, and how the produced crop is sold, while ensuring that Makhana producers get the right price. Efforts will be made to ensure our makhana becomes popular all over the world.”
He asked the gathering to support one nation, one election as frequent elections hinder the progress and development of the country.
Earlier in the day, the Union Minister took a dig at Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav over his comments on Mr. Modi’s scheduled visit to Bhagalpur on February 24. Mr. Yadav had alleged that Mr. Modi was coming to Bihar not for any developmental work but for the Assembly election in Bihar, which is due later this year.
“Tejashwi Yadav should know that today the Prime Minister is going to Madhya Pradesh, where there are no elections. Tomorrow, he will go to Assam, where there are no elections either. Our Prime Minister is not confined to his residence, he goes among the people,” Mr. Chouhan said while interacting with press
Published – February 23, 2025 09:06 pm IST