Makhana Mania: Why PM Modi is Betting Big on Bihar’s Superfood | TDG Explainer

India’s ancient superfood, Makhana, is gaining global recognition, thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strategic push. From international summits to diplomatic gifts, Modi has been actively promoting Bihar’s prized fox nuts as a symbol of India’s rich agricultural heritage and a key player in the organic food market. With Bihar accounting for almost 90% of India’s Makhana production, this nutrient-rich snack is as much an economic and political changer as it is a health revolution.

The government’s efforts in the form of enhanced Minimum Support Price (MSP), processing facilities, and export-oriented policy have further made Makhana a mighty tool in terms of rural livelihoods and Bihar’s economy.

With the state preparing for elections, the BJP is capitalizing on Makhana’s importance to reach out to farmers and traders, making political strategy depend on it. From Japan to America, and even Mauritius, the Makhana is no longer a local specialty—it is India’s next global superfood.

Where Has Modi Promoted Makhana?

In 2022, Japan

PM Modi made Makhana one of the prominent Indian superfoods while on his visit to Japan in 2022. Stressed for its wellbeing advantages, he requested Japanese companies to make it a healthy snack option. With the aim of promoting Makhana across the globe and spreading its market to countries beyond India, this was done.

G20 Summit, New Delhi

PM Modi gave immense focus on India’s indigenous foods—Makhana, say—during the G20 Summit. Having boosted Makhana as a superfood that gained global recognition, he urged heads of state to investigate its import as part of their nation&’s health-conscious food alternatives. The exercise elevated India’s status within the international world of organic foods.

Mann Ki Baat

In his regular monthly radio show, Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi has spoken of Makhana numerous times. Inspiring Indian consumers to have Makhana as a part of their everyday diet, he has lavished appreciation on Bihar’s agriculture for their commitment towards its cultivation. With his support in part, Makhana has turned into a superfood and local demand has skyrocketed.

Where has Modi bestowed Makhana so far?

Being a symbol of India’s natural and healthy snacking tradition, PM Modi has served Makhana to VIP guests.

US President Joe Biden, QUAD Summit

During the QUAD summit, PM Modi presented Makhana to US President Joe Biden to emphasize India’s leading position in its superfood market and the dietary value of the food. In view of America’s position as a great importer of organic snack foods, this was not only a symbolic gesture but a strategic one. To promote Makhana in the North America region and increase the bilateral trade through it, Modi wanted to market the Middle East.

On his recent India visit, UK PM Rishi Sunak

One of the Indian organic foods UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak received from Prime Minister Modi on his India visit was Makhana. This was seen as a step towards enhancing India-UK trade relations in agriculture. The increasing demand for healthy, plant-based snacks in the UK made Makhana an ideal market, and Modi’s gift was a step towards promoting Indian exports.

President of Mauritius

PM Modi also presented Makhana to the Mauritius President as a reflection of India’s rich farm culture and increasing trade ties with the island nation. The move emphasized Makhana’s position as a high-end organic snack and reflected India’s focus on encouraging indigenous products on an international platform. Through the launch of Makhana in Mauritius, Modi sought to deepen bilateral relations and seek new market avenues for Indian farmers and exporters.

Why is Makhana the Bihar Superfood?

Makhana has been marketed as Bihar’s finest superfood because it houses better health benefits and nutrients. It’s full of protein and low on calories, thus ideal for weight gain and post-muscular workout recovery. Packed with rich antioxidants, Makhana slows down aging, stops oxidative stress, and enhances immunity, so it acts as an immune natural shield to many diseases. It is good for the heart, cholesterol-free but fibre-rich, thus helping the heart and discouraging the possibility of cardiac disorders.

For diabetic patients, Makhana is an excellent foodstuff since it normalizes blood sugar and makes the body metabolically sound. Also, as Makhana is gluten-free and vegan, it can be easily incorporated into various food patterns of people, hence elevating its status as a superfood not just in India but also in the global market among health-conscious consumers.

Financial Analysis: The Emerging Makhana Market

Internationally Export: The Indian Makhana market has seen unprecedented growth in the last decade, transforming from a niche farm product to a globally acclaimed superfood. Increased demand for organic, healthy munchies in global markets is one of the key reasons for the same. Makhana is being exported to large markets such as the US, UK, Japan, and the Middle East, where there is a growing population consuming increasingly plant-based and gluten-free food. Global awareness of Makhana’s health benefits is boosting its market share and it is now one of India’s fastest-growing agri exports.

Annual Turnover: The Makhana business is astronomical-sized in terms of finance, with the estimated annual turnover being around INR 6,000 crore. Bihar alone contributes close to 90% of the total Makhana production in India, and it is the epicenter of this thriving business. The favorable climatic conditions of the region and indigenous knowledge of Makhana cultivation have made the region the center of world Makhana production. Farmers in places such as Mithilanchal, Darbhanga, and Madhubani have benefited immensely from this new economy, with rising demand creating better prices and higher returns.

Government Support: Understanding the economic value of Makhana, the Indian government has promoted production and marketing of the same actively. Makhana has been covered under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, a region-based agro-product development program aimed at triggering economic growth. Subsidies and technical assistance have been extended to farmers under this program in terms of quality improvement and better access to markets. Furthermore, infrastructural support such as cold storage, packaging value addition, and optimized logistics have helped improve the shelf life of Makhana and global popularity.

Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget Speech on Makhana

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in Budget 2025-26, announced a chain of steps to help the Makhana sector, which would see specific usage in Bihar. The most prominent among them was a Special Makhana Board to be created in Bihar for better production, processing, value addition, and marketing of Makhana. “This will enhance production, marketing, value addition of Makhana in the State,” said Sitharaman.

In addition, the Finance Minister declared the establishment of a National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Management in Bihar. The institute would focus on entrepreneurship development and enhancing farmers’ income, as has been the general government emphasis towards indigenous goods and local economies.

Role of Makhana in Bihar Elections

Economic and cultural value of Makhana in Bihar has created it a center of gravity during the coming polls, with BJP tactically maximizing its influence to harness electoral gains. The government introduced a special program to empower agriculturists through the hike of Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Makhana, realizing the value of Makhana farming for numerous farmers in Bihar. This guarantees a remunerative price for farmers of their produce, increasing rural incomes and consolidating the BJP’s grip among farmers.

Secondly, the government has accorded top priority to creating employment by establishing processing units in big Makhana-growing areas like Mithilanchal, Darbhanga, and Madhubani. Apart from generating local employment opportunities, these processing units also enhance the efficiency of supply chains and enhance the overall value of Makhana production. By establishing special units, the government is providing an assurance that Bihar not only gains from cultivation but also value addition, and thus Makhana cultivation becomes a more remunerative and sustainable source.

To further increase Bihar’s economic presence, the government is promoting export-oriented policies that are encouraging Makhana’s place in the international market. By promoting foreign trade and simplified export procedures, these policies are consolidating the Bihar economy and turning Makhana into a global agri-success story. With Bihar about to head for polls, BJP’s emphasis on Makhana is not only an economic strategy but also a politically savvy move to garner the support of farmers, traders, and rural communities whose livelihood is based on this superfood.

PM Modi’s focus on Makhana isn’t just about promoting a healthy snack—it’s a strategic move for economic growth, rural empowerment, and political advantage. With rising global demand and government backing, Bihar’s Makhana is poised to become India’s next global superfood sensation.