Promotion of Makhana Production in Chhattisgarh

Makhana Development Scheme Launched in Dhamtari, Balod, Mahasamund and Gariaband Districts; ₹1.78 Crore Approved

Special Story: Promotion of Makhana Production in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, January 2026 : Along with traditional crops, farmers in Chhattisgarh are now rapidly turning towards cash crops as well. In this sequence, makhana cultivation is emerging as a new and profitable option for farmers.

Considering the immense potential of makhana production in Chhattisgarh, the Central Government’s Central Sector Scheme for Development of Makhana is being implemented at a fast pace in the state. After the historic announcement by Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan to include the state in the National Makhana Board, activities related to makhana cultivation and processing have gained momentum.

Officials of the Horticulture Department informed that the implementation of this scheme has begun in the state from the year 2025–26. Under the scheme, an amount of ₹178.11 lakh has been approved for Chhattisgarh. For implementation, the districts of Dhamtari, Balod, Mahasamund and Gariaband have been selected.

Strong Market Demand for Makhana

The biggest advantage of makhana cultivation is that if farmers do not sell raw seeds alone but process them into makhana and sell the final product in the market, they earn significantly higher profits. The seeds are dried, roasted and processed to prepare makhana, which has strong demand in the market.

Growing Interest of Farmers in Makhana Production

Under the scheme, activities related to makhana production and makhana seed production have been proposed. Makhana will be cultivated over 96.438 hectares in already constructed ponds and 37.424 hectares on farmers’ land, covering a total area of 133.862 hectares. In addition, a seed production programme will be conducted over 15 hectares at the Agriculture and Horticulture University and departmental nurseries.

43 Farmers from Dhamtari District Involved in Makhana Production

At present, women self-help groups have been selected in Dhamtari district and makhana production has already commenced. Prominent among them are Shail Putri Self-Help Group, Nai Kiran Self-Help Group, Jai Maa Nav Jyoti Women Self-Help Group and Progressive Farmers Group.

In the district, sowing of makhana seeds in ponds has been completed over 55 acres, while preparation is underway in another 15 acres, involving 43 farmers. Preparations for sowing have also begun on 55 acres of land selected for makhana cultivation, with the participation of 20 farmers.

₹2 Crore Action Plan Proposed for 2026–27

It is noteworthy that an action plan worth ₹2 crore has been proposed for the year 2026–27. Under this plan, makhana cultivation is proposed in ponds over 75 hectares and on land over 30 hectares, construction of 10 new ponds, and additional makhana production over 5 hectares.

Training for Farmers in Makhana Cultivation

Mrs. Manisha Chandrakar, Director of Ojas Farm, who has been cultivating makhana for the past five years, said that the climate and soil of Chhattisgarh are extremely suitable for makhana production. She informed that commercial makhana production in the state was first started by late Shri Krishna Kumar Chandrakar in village Lingadih of Arang development block, and the first makhana processing centre was established in December 2021. Currently, their organisation is not only engaged in production and processing, but is also providing training to farmers within and outside the state.

Maximum Profit Through Self-Production, Processing and Packaging

Mrs. Manisha Chandrakar said that approximately 200 to 250 grams of popped makhana is obtained from one kilogram of makhana seeds, which is sold at prices ranging from ₹700 to ₹1,000 per kilogram. If farmers undertake production along with processing and packaging themselves, they can earn maximum profit per acre.