Patna: In a major milestone for Bihar’s cooperative and agricultural sectors, the state on Wednesday dispatched its first international consignment of vegetables to Lulu Mall, Dubai. The shipment of 1,500 kg of vegetables was flagged off from the Dashrath Manjhi Institute of Labour and Employment Studies in Patna by Cooperative Minister Prem Kumar.
The vegetables—ten varieties including jackfruit, cauliflower, eggplant, bitter gourd and bottle gourd—were sent via Varanasi for onward shipping to Dubai. The initiative, led by the Bihar State Vegetable Processing and Marketing Cooperative Federation Ltd (VEGFED), is being carried out in collaboration with Fair Exports Ltd on an experimental basis.
Lulu Mall has placed a demand for 45 metric tonnes of vegetables from Bihar, highlighting the international interest in the state’s agricultural produce. Officials said the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) played a key role in enabling the export.
“Every dish filled with Bihari vegetables—this is our mantra,” said Kumar, calling the shipment a historic moment for both the cooperative and agriculture sectors. Talks are also ongoing to export vegetables to Singapore, he added.
VEGFED has provided farmers with modern techniques, improved seeds and plants, and support in processing and marketing. The department is also working to strengthen infrastructure across Bihar’s blocks. A cold storage unit with a capacity of 10 tonnes and a godown with a 20-tonne capacity have been constructed in each block to prevent post-harvest losses.
To improve local marketing, the government plans to open 534 “tarkari” retail outlets near Sudha milk parlours across the state, with 200 already in the pipeline. Plots have been identified and funds released for these initial outlets.
VEGFED committees have already been formed in 495 blocks, alongside four unions. By the end of June, committees will be in place in all remaining blocks, with nine unions and a federation expected to follow.
