Bihar Government’s Makhana Avayav Scheme 2025-26: Farmers to Receive Seeds, Tool Kits, and ₹36,375/Ha Grant

To boost farmers’ income and give a new direction to Makhana (foxnut) cultivation, the Bihar government has launched the Makhana Avayav Scheme (2025-26). Implemented under the Integrated Horticulture Development Mission (MIDH), this scheme aims not only to promote Makhana farming across the state but also to directly enhance farmers’ earnings by providing high-quality seeds, traditional tool kits, and financial assistance.

Objectives of the Scheme

• Expand Makhana cultivation across 16 districts of Bihar.
• Produce high-quality seeds of advanced varieties.
• Provide farmers with traditional Makhana farming tool kits.
• Directly increase farmers’ income through distribution of quality seeds and financial support.

Beneficiary Districts:

The scheme will be implemented in the following 16 districts:

Katihar, Purnia, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Kishanganj, Supaul, Araria, Madhepura, Saharsa, Khagaria, Samastipur, Bhagalpur, Sitamarhi, East Champaran, West Champaran, and Muzaffarpur.

Key Features:

• Each farmer can benefit from 0.25 acre (0.1 ha) minimum to 5 acres (2 ha) maximum.
• Priority will be given to farmers cultivating Makhana through the field system for the first time.
• The estimated cost of Makhana farming (field system) is ₹0.97 lakh per hectare.
• In the first year, farmers will receive an approved amount of ₹36,375 per hectare:
• Cost of seeds will be paid directly to suppliers.
• Remaining funds will be released to farmers after sapling transplantation.

Makhana Seed Production:

• Seed production will be conducted by:

  • National Makhana Research Centre, Darbhanga

  • Bhola Paswan Shastri Agricultural College, Purnia

  • Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Jale, Darbhanga

• Advanced varieties such as Swarn Vaidehi and Sabour Makhana-1 will be made available.

Makhana Tool Kits

• Farmers will receive tool kits made from bamboo, wood, and other traditional materials at subsidized rates.
• Non-landholding farmers will not require land documents to receive the kit.

Makhana Seed Distribution:

• Recommended variety seeds will be provided at a subsidized rate of ₹225/kg.
• If the seed price exceeds this rate, the additional cost must be borne by the farmer.

Eligibility & Required Documents:

• Landholding farmers: Land ownership certificate, latest revenue receipt/online receipt, or family lineage document.

• Non-landholding farmers: A valid agreement document will be accepted.
• Women farmers will be given special priority.

Grant & Selection Process:

Payments will be made via DBT through the SNA Sparsh portal.

Reservation of beneficiaries:

• General category: 83.903%
• Scheduled Caste (SC): 15%
• Scheduled Tribe (ST): 1.097%

• 30% reservation for women in each category.

How to Apply:

Farmers can apply for the scheme either:

• Through the nearest Common Service Center (CSC), or
• Directly on the Horticulture Department, Bihar website: https://horticulture.bihar.gov.in/