Mon Feb 24 16:10:18 UTC 2025: ## Modi Champions Bihar’s “Superfood” Makhana for Global Market
**Bhagalpur, Bihar:** Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched a major push to promote Makhana (foxnut), a traditional Bihar crop, onto the global stage. Speaking at a rally in Bhagalpur to release the 19th installment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Modi revealed his personal fondness for the “superfood,” claiming to consume it at least 300 days a year.
The Prime Minister highlighted the recent rise in Makhana’s popularity as a breakfast staple across India and announced the establishment of a Makhana Board, as detailed in this year’s budget. This board will focus on value addition, improved marketing strategies, and enhancing the livelihoods of Bihar’s Makhana farmers. Modi emphasized the government’s commitment to boosting agricultural exports, citing Makhana as the next big opportunity for Bihar.
The rally also celebrated the achievement of creating 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) nationwide, with Bihar’s Khagaria district hosting the 10,000th FPO, focusing on maize, bananas, and paddy. Modi further announced the “PM Dhan Dhanya Yojana,” a program aimed at boosting crop production in 100 underperforming districts across India. The event also saw the disbursement of over ₹3.46 lakh crore to more than 11 crore farmer families through the PM-KISAN scheme. The Prime Minister’s visit coincided with upcoming Bihar Legislative Assembly elections scheduled for October or November this year.
First Piper 