Patna: Bihar is set to export its agricultural products directly to countries like the UK, USA, and those in Europe, thanks to a new APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) office opening in Patna. Until now, exporters had to take farm products from Bihar to other states for packaging and certification, meaning those states got credit for the exports. This new office will solve that issue and help farmers earn more.
The APEDA office will be located in the Mithapur Krishi Bhawan complex in Patna and is expected to be inaugurated soon. With this, farmers and exporters will be able to access services like certification, packaging, and training right from their home state. Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Vijay Sinha said the move will boost the income of farmers and make exporting easier and faster.
Farmers earlier had to get export certificates from Varanasi and lab tests from places like Kolkata and Lucknow, which caused delays. Now, with everything available in Patna, the process will be quicker. Products like Makhana, Shahi Litchi, Jardalu Mango, and Katarni Rice will now be exported directly from Bihar under its own name.
The state has big plans. In the first year, 50 farmer producer groups will be added, 20,000 farmers will get export training, and 10 pack houses will be certified. The goal is to triple agricultural exports in the next three years. Even though Bihar is a major farming state, its exports were only $17.6 million in 2023. This new office hopes to change that and bring Bihar’s farm produce to global markets.
