Bihar Makhana being shipped to Dubai
By Neeraj KumarÂ
Patna: Bihar has taken a significant leap in agricultural exports with the first overseas shipment of makhana following the formation of the Makhana Board. Under the supervision of the state Agriculture Department, efforts are being intensified to promote makhana exports.
Mithila makhana, a traditional and highly nutritious crop of the Mithila region, has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, giving it global recognition for its uniqueness and quality.
State Agriculture Minister Ram Kripal Yadav said that a consignment of two metric tonnes of makhana has been dispatched abroad. He stated that Bihar has achieved a major milestone in agricultural exports by successfully shipping GI-tagged Mithila makhana from Purnia district to Dubai via the sea route for the first time.
The historic two-metric-tonne consignment was exported with the support of the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Bihar government and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Patna. The successful maritime export reflects Bihar’s growing capability to meet international standards related to quality, packaging, traceability and logistics.
To mark the achievement, a virtual flag-off ceremony was organised under the chairmanship of the Agriculture Minister. Addressing the event, Yadav said exports of GI-tagged products would play a crucial role in increasing farmers’ income and strengthening the state’s global identity.
He expressed gratitude to APEDA for its support in ensuring the success of the Dubai export. The minister said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, makhana has gained global recognition, enabling Indian agricultural products to establish a strong presence in international markets.
Yadav also thanked Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for his sustained efforts to promote makhana production, processing and exports. He said the initiative marks an important step towards realising the vision of a developed Bihar and a developed nation through unique agricultural products such as makhana.
The export is expected to open new market opportunities for farmers, farmer producer organisations and agri-entrepreneurs linked to the makhana value chain. APEDA reiterated its commitment to providing continued support and technical assistance to further strengthen Bihar’s agricultural export ecosystem, the Agriculture Minister added.
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