DARBHANGA, April 10 -- Union ministry of finance has approved key posts in the National Research Centre (NRC) for Makhana at Darbhanga, removing long-standing bottlenecks and paving the way for the institute to function at full capacity, officials said. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) issued an office memorandum on April 7, announcing new posts that include 13 scientific posts - comprising one director-level position and 12 other scientists - along with 10 technical and 8 administrative posts to be filled through redeployment. According to the senior scientist at the NRC for Makhana, Manoj Kumar, currently 8 scientists and 3 technical staff are working at the centre. Confirming the development, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Engineering) at Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Dr Shyam Narayan Jha, termed the move a "significant milestone" for the institute. "The approval of scientific, technical and administrative posts for the National Research Centre for Makhana, Darbhanga, marks a major breakthrough. With all procedural hurdles now cleared, this will substantially strengthen research capacity and institutional development. I am deeply satisfied that a long-pending initiative has finally materialised," Jha told HT. The National Research Centre for Makhana, functioning under ICAR, is mandated to promote scientific research, value addition and technological advancement in makhana (gorgon nut or fox nut) cultivation - a sector in which the Mithilanchal region of Bihar holds a dominant national share. Experts underline that the availability of dedicated manpower has been a critical constraint for the centre. The latest approvals effectively address this gap, enabling advanced research in crop improvement, post-harvest management and mechanisation. Officials said that the move marks a turning point for the institute, positioning it to evolve into a national hub for makhana research and innovation. The development also reinforces the Centre's earlier decision to restore the institute's status. The Government of India had upgraded the Research Centre of Makhana, Darbhanga, back to National Research Centre status on May 15, 2023, reversing its 2005 downgrade. The institute was originally established in 2002 during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Over the years, the NRC for Makhana has contributed significantly to the sector by developing high-yielding makhana and thornless water chestnut varieties, promoting water-efficient farming systems and pioneering integrated makhana-cum-fish cultivation. Jha emphasised that the integration of traditional practices with scientific innovation has transformed makhana cultivation into a key driver of rural prosperity in the region. He also clarified a common misconception about the crop, noting that makhana is not derived from lotus seeds (Nelumbo nucifera), but is actually the popped kernel of the gorgon nut (Euryale ferox), a completely distinct aquatic plant species....