PM Modi Welcomed With Makhana Garland In Bihar Rally, Says 'I Eat Makhana 300 Days A Year'

PM Modi said Makhana is an important part of breakfast for people and he was also felicitated with garland made of Makhana in Bhagalpur.

PM Modi in Bhagalpur district of Bihar.

Source : X/Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was felicitated with a garland made of fox nuts (Makhana) during a rally in the Bhagalpur district of Bihar.
Addressing a rally in Bhagalpur, where Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and Chirag Paswan were also present, PM Modi called Makhana a superfood and said he consumed Makhan for 300 days a year due to its health benefits.

"Now Makhana has become a staple part of breakfast in cities across the country. Speaking personally, I eat makhana at least 300 out of 365 days a year. It is a superfood that we must now take to global markets. That’s why, in this year’s budget, the government has announced the formation of a Makhana Board for the benefit of makhana farmers," PM Modi said.

Highlighting the government’s agricultural initiatives, the PM said India’s agricultural exports have increased significantly in recent years due to government efforts.

मखाना विकास बोर्ड बनाने का हमारा कदम इसकी खेती में जुटे बिहार के किसानों के लिए बेहद फायदेमंद होने वाला है। इससे मखाना के उत्पादन, प्रोसेसिंग, वैल्यू एडिशन और मार्केटिंग में बहुत मदद मिलने वाली है। pic.twitter.com/YLgSoS7T6T

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 24, 2025

“This has allowed farmers to get better prices for their produce. Several agricultural products have been exported for the first time. Now, it's time for Bihar's Makhana (foxnuts). It is a superfood that needs to reach global markets. In this year's Budget, the government has announced the establishment of a Makhana board, which will be implemented soon,” he added.

The Prime Minister was in Bhagalpur to release the 19th instalment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme. The PM also addressed the gethering in the Bihar district, where assembly elections are due later this year.

Bihar is the largest producer of Makhana, which is considered a superfood. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Union Budget 2025, said that a 'Makhana Board' will be set up in Bihar, aimed at enhancing the production and marketing of Makhana.

“A Makhana Board will be established in [Bihar] to improve production, processing, value addition, and marketing of makhana… The Board will provide hand holding and training support to makhana farmers, and will also work to ensure they receive the benefits of all relevant Government schemes,” Nirmala Sitharaman said.

The superfood has skyrocketed recently in popularity around the world, especially among fitness enthusiasts. The ‘Mithila Makhana’, referring to the fox nuts grown in Mithlanchal area of Bihar, was conferred a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2022.