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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 63797, member: 636"] Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan described makhana as an extraordinary blessing for Bihar's poor on Saturday. The state has become the world's leading makhana production center with cultivation spanning 35,000 to 40,000 hectares compared with earlier output from nearly 3,000 hectares. Speaking at Makhana Mahotsav 2025 at Gandhi Maidan, Chouhan announced the central government had notified the establishment of a Makhana Board to advance research, development, marketing, branding, and promotion. The government sanctioned nearly 475 crore rupees for modern machinery, new variety development, and processing facilities to enhance production and value addition. Chouhan urged Bihar youth to launch startups in the makhana sector while promising full federal support. The minister stated the government would purchase all lentil, urad, and arhar crops from Bihar farmers at the minimum support price. [/QUOTE]