Chhattisgarh eyes Makhana boom; four-district circuit to drive cultivation, processing and farmer incomes

The Chhattisgarh government is stepping up efforts to promote makhana (fox nut) cultivation, positioning the crop as a promising avenue for enhancing farmers’ incomes.

During a visit to the Makhana Centre at Lingadih in Arang block of Raipur district, Agriculture Development and Farmers Welfare Minister of the state, Ramvichar Netam said the state - particularly Raipur, Dhamtari, Gariaband and Balod - holds significant potential for makhana farming. He stressed the need to develop these production clusters into an integrated “Makhana Circuit” and reiterated the government’s vision to establish Chhattisgarh as a future makhana hub.

Officials informed that makhana is currently being cultivated across nearly 50-60 hectares in Arang and nearby areas, with output reaching grade-6 quality. Strong market demand for makhana is expected to translate into higher and more stable incomes for farmers.

Chhattisgarh Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam at the Makhana Center in Lingadih, Raipur.

To further scale up the sector, the proposed Makhana Circuit will integrate production, processing, storage and marketing infrastructure. This end-to-end approach aims to improve market access and ensure remunerative prices for growers.

The minister directed officials to promote scientific cultivation practices and expand farmer training programmes. He also called for the establishment of modern processing units to enable value addition and strengthen farmers’ self-reliance.

Netam noted that farmers will benefit from technical support, training and marketing assistance by linking them to schemes under the National Makhana Board. Coordinated efforts between the state and central governments are expected to position makhana as a viable alternative income source and elevate Chhattisgarh among the country’s leading producers.

Highlighting the importance of value addition, he said processed makhana fetches significantly higher returns than raw seeds. Typically, one kilogram of seeds yields 200-250 grams of popped makhana, which commands a market price of Rs 700-1,000 per kilogram.

The initiative is also bringing women self-help groups and progressive farmers into the fold, with expert-led training programmes already underway. Following the state’s integration with the National Makhana Board, facilitated by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the sector is witnessing renewed momentum.

A Rs 2 crore action plan for 2026-27 has been proposed to expand the cultivation area and build critical infrastructure, paving the way for long-term growth in the makhana value chain.