New Delhi, Feb. 4 -- Makhana cultivation has expanded from approximately 13,000 hectares to 35,000 hectares across multiple states, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Bhagirath Choudhary, said in a written reply in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

In the Budget 2025-26 tabled Saturday, the government announced a Makhana Board be established in Bihar, a key grower of nutri-rich food. The board will work to improve production, processing, value addition, and marketing of makhana.

Over the years, 15,824.1 kg of high-yielding Makhana seeds have been distributed to farmers, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, and organizations across various states. Significant beneficiaries include institutions like NABARD, fisheries departments, Bihar Horticul...