Patna: The Bihar government has announced plans to build large pack houses near four state airports in an effort to help farmers secure better prices for fruits and vegetables and expand access to domestic and international markets.
In the first phase, pack houses will be constructed near the airports at Patna, Bodh Gaya, Darbhanga and Purnea, with facilities designed to support air cargo exports. The initiative, led by the state’s agriculture department, aims to reduce post-harvest losses and address long-standing problems related to inadequate storage and packaging.
Officials said the pack houses would be equipped with sorting, grading, processing and packing infrastructure that meets international standards. In addition to fruits and vegetables, the facilities will handle baby corn, makhana (fox nuts) and other horticultural crops produced in large quantities across the state.
According to the department, Bihar produces substantial volumes of seasonal fruits and vegetables each year, but farmers often fail to receive fair prices because of delays, poor packaging and limited access to distant markets. By enabling produce to be sent directly through air cargo, the government expects faster transportation to major cities and overseas destinations, improving both quality and returns.
The scheme is also linked to the expansion of aviation infrastructure in the state. The development of nine new airports and airstrips, with support from the central government, is reported to be in its final stages under the UDAN regional connectivity programme. Locations identified include Ara, Begusarai, Bettiah, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Motihari, Munger, Raxaul, Saharsa and Valmiki Nagar, among others.
Once operational, officials say similar pack house facilities could be developed near these airports to further strengthen supply chains and open new markets for Bihar’s agricultural produce.
The government believes the initiative will not only increase farmers’ incomes but also position Bihar as a more competitive supplier of horticultural products within India and abroad.
