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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced several key projects for Bihar in the Union Budget 2025-26, including a Makhana Board, financial aid for the western Koshi canal, and expanded support for IIT Patna. These announcements come in an election year for the NDA-ruled state.

Major announcements for Bihar

During her budget speech in Lok Sabha, Sitharaman also proposed a National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Management for Bihar. She announced plans for new greenfield airports and the expansion of Patna airport and Bihta’s brownfield airport to support future growth.

The finance minister wore a saree featuring Madhubani art with a fish motif, a gift from Padma Shri awardee Dulari Devi, during her recent visit to Madhubani district.

 

Boost to food processing and Makhana farmers

Sitharaman said the new food technology institute would promote food processing across eastern India, benefiting farmers by adding value to their crops and creating jobs for the youth.

The proposed Makhana Board will support farmers with training, better processing, and marketing of makhana (fox nuts). It will also help them access government schemes to improve production and earnings.

 

#WATCH | Delhi | On Union Budget 2025, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale says, "All the sections have been considered in this budget. The opposition says this budget is useless, but their perspective is only useless.. This budget will boost the economy... Bihar has been given new… pic.twitter.com/8MJ0BDgmcr

— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2025

Also Read: Union Budget 2025-26 focuses on tax relief, growth and innovation

Infrastructure and agriculture development

The western Koshi canal project will receive financial aid from the Centre, benefiting farmers cultivating over 50,000 hectares in the Mithilanchal region.

The government will also expand IIT Patna’s infrastructure and build additional facilities in five other IITs established after 2014. This will accommodate 6,500 more students and further increase the total number of students in IITs, which has doubled in the last 10 years.

#WATCH | Vaishali, Bihar | On #UnionBudget2025, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav says, "... They did not talk about (giving Bihar) a special package. I am not sure if they will even give Bihar the status of a special state... Today's budget was unfair to Bihar. Whatever was given in the… pic.twitter.com/yAZi3pQY01

— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2025

Reactions from Bihar leaders

Union Minister Chirag Paswan welcomed the food technology institute, saying it would boost food processing and improve farmers' incomes.

JD(U) leader Sanjay Jha praised the Makhana Board, calling it a "gamechanger" for Bihar’s agricultural economy. He said it would improve production, processing, and marketing, driving economic growth in the Mithila region.

 

Key schemes announced for Bihar

The Union Budget has introduced several initiatives aimed at boosting Bihar’s agriculture, infrastructure, and food processing industries. These include a new Makhana Board, support for food processing, greenfield airport development, and the Western Koshi Canal Project.

#WATCH | Delhi | On Union Budget 2025, TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha says, "Bihar is my strength and I felt good about the provisions to Bihar, but it is also a time of elections, so was this an electoral budget taking Bihar on forefront?... Infrastructural development in Bihar is… pic.twitter.com/24ahrtiJSE

— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2025

New Makhana Board

A dedicated Makhana Board will be set up to enhance the production, processing, value addition, and marketing of makhana (fox nuts or lotus seeds). This will help Bihar’s makhana farmers improve their earnings and market reach.

• Farmers involved in makhana production will be organised into Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), enabling them to work collectively, achieve economies of scale, and secure better market deals.
  
  
• The Board will provide training and handholding support to farmers and ensure they benefit from relevant government schemes.
  Announcing this initiative, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that the Board will play a crucial role in uplifting makhana farmers and strengthening Bihar’s agricultural sector.

Support for food processing industry

A National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Management will be established in Bihar. This institute is expected to drive growth in food processing across the entire Eastern region of India.

• The institute will help increase farmers' incomes by supporting value-added food production.
• It will also provide entrepreneurial training, skill development, and employment opportunities for Bihar’s youth, boosting the region’s agro-based economy.

 

Development of Greenfield and Brownfield Airports

Bihar’s aviation infrastructure will see a significant boost with the development of new greenfield airports and expansion of existing ones.

• Greenfield airports (built on undeveloped land with completely new infrastructure) will be developed to improve air connectivity in the state.
• The Patna airport will undergo capacity expansion, improving its ability to handle more passengers and flights.
• A brownfield airport at Bihta (built on an existing airfield with developed infrastructure) will also be developed, strengthening Bihar’s aviation network.
  
  These initiatives will enhance connectivity, trade, and tourism opportunities for the state.

Also Read: FM Sitharaman announces Nuclear Energy Mission for 2047 in Budget 2025

Western Koshi Canal Project

The Western Koshi Canal Project will receive financial assistance to support irrigation in Mithilanchal, a key agricultural region of Bihar.

• This project will benefit over 50,000 hectares of farmland by ensuring better irrigation facilities.
• The initiative is aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and water availability for farmers in the Kosi river basin.

Finance Minister Sitharaman emphasised that this project will directly support thousands of farmers and improve food security in the region.

 

These new schemes reflect the government’s focus on agriculture, infrastructure, and economic development in Bihar. By supporting makhana farming, food processing, aviation, and irrigation, these initiatives aim to create more job opportunities, enhance farmer incomes, and strengthen Bihar’s overall economy.

 

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