Patna: Bihar’s traditional food products, sattu and makhana, will be showcased to delegates and foreign guests attending the BRICS Summit, providing an international platform for the state’s local produce.
The presentation is part of the hospitality arrangements for the summit and is intended to highlight Bihar’s food traditions and the global potential of products associated with the state.
Sattu’s Place In Bihar’s Food Culture
Sattu has a strong association with Bihar’s everyday food culture. It is used in dishes such as litti-chokha and sattu paratha and is also consumed as a drink mixed with water.
Often described as a traditional “desi Horlicks”, sattu is made from gram and remains a widely consumed food product in the state.
Bihar has also recorded an increase in gram production over the past decade. Agriculture department data shows that gram production stood at 63,569 metric tonnes in 2024-25, compared with 57,490 metric tonnes in 2014-15.
Bihar’s Makhana Production
Makhana is another major agricultural product associated with Bihar, particularly the Mithila and North Bihar regions.
According to Agriculture department estimates, India produced 80,590 metric tonnes of makhana in 2025-26, with average productivity of 2.34 metric tonnes per hectare. Production in 2024-25 was 63,910 metric tonnes, with average productivity of 2.03 metric tonnes per hectare.
Bihar accounts for about 90% of the country’s total makhana production, making the state the leading centre for its cultivation and processing.
Local Products, Global Markets
Makhana’s growing popularity as a snack and health-focused food has increased its presence in markets beyond India. Its presentation at an international gathering could provide greater visibility to farmers, processors and entrepreneurs associated with the sector.
Sattu also has potential for wider markets through improved processing, packaging and branding.
Building Brand Bihar
The showcase is expected to connect Bihar’s traditional food culture with its agricultural production and local entrepreneurship.
Presenting sattu and makhana before international delegates gives the products an opportunity to gain wider recognition while supporting efforts to strengthen the identity of “Brand Bihar” through locally produced goods.
