Archive · 7 Nov 2025
Bihar's Makhana Production Potential and Value Chain Challenges
Imagine a special kind of healthy nut called makhana that grows mostly in Bihar, India.
Bihar makes almost all of this nut for the whole world!
But, even though they grow the most, they don't get to keep the most money from it.
It's like a farmer growing cocoa beans but not selling the chocolate bars.
Right now, bigger companies in other parts of India take the makhana, make it into snacks, and sell it all over.
To help Bihar get more money, they need to grow more makhana, make it better quality, and maybe even make more fancy products from it.
This way, the people in Bihar who grow these special nuts can earn more and improve their lives.
Everyone is hoping that a special 'stamp' called a GI tag will help make Bihar's makhana even more popular and valuable around the world.
Bihar produces 90% of India's makhana, contributing significantly to global supply.
Makhana is increasingly marketed as a healthy, gluten-free food, but value addition primarily occurs outside Bihar.
Low production volume and quality issues limit Bihar's ability to act as a major exporter, despite high demand.
Key post-production activities like processing and export are dominated by other Indian states, forming a global value chain.
Technological upgrades and diversification into value-added products are needed for Bihar to capitalize on its makhana production potential.
- Who
- Mallah community, farmers in Bihar, processors and exporters in Punjab and Assam
- What
- Exploration of Bihar's potential in makhana (fox nut) production, highlighting challenges in scaling, quality, and value distribution within the global value chain.
- When
- Makhana was clubbed with other nuts in trade data until 2022; a Geographical Indication (GI) tag was awarded in 2022.
- Where
- Bihar, India; also mentioning other producing states like Assam, UP, and Odisha, and processing/export hubs like Punjab and Assam.
- Why
- To understand why Bihar, despite being the largest producer, does not benefit proportionally from the growing global demand for makhana, and to identify steps needed for greater economic impact.
- Makhana Production Share
- Bihar accounts for 90% of India's makhana production, which in turn constitutes 90% of world production.
- Makhana as a Food Product
- Marketed as a gluten-free wonder food with protein, fiber, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Value Chain
- Similar to cocoa in Africa, producers in Bihar may receive a small share of the overall market value.
- Processing and Export
- Major processors and exporters are located in other Indian states like Punjab and Assam.
- Geographical Indication (GI) Tag
- Awarded in 2022, intended to boost exports of popped makhana.
- Expertise in Harvesting
- The Mallah community possesses expertise in harvesting makhana.