Patna, September 23: The Bihar Saras Mela at Gyan Bhawan in Patna has recorded business of more than Rs 68.56 lakh in its first three days, as rural women entrepreneurs from across the country showcase handicrafts, traditional products, food items and other goods.
Organised by the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (JEEViKA) under the Rural Development Department, Bihar, the fair will continue until September 29, 2026.
The event is bringing together self-help group members from 15 states, with more than 135 stalls showcasing regional handicrafts, folk art, traditional products and local cuisine.
Rs 25.37 Lakh Sales On Third Day
According to JEEViKA, products and food items worth more than Rs 25.37 lakh were sold on Tuesday, taking the cumulative business during the first three days to over Rs 68.56 lakh.
The fair is attracting visitors interested in products as well as traditional crafts, artworks, cultural practices and regional food from different parts of the country.
Buyer-Seller Meets Focus On Bigger Markets
The Saras Mela is also being used to create direct links between rural producers and potential buyers.
Buyer-seller meetings are being organised every day to discuss product quality, pricing, branding, market opportunities and marketing strategies.
On Wednesday, JEEViKA and Ernst & Young jointly organised a buyer-seller interaction at the fair’s auditorium.
The session focused on Bihar products including bhuja, sattu, flour, makhana, maize, tea, protein bars and handicrafts. Discussions covered quality improvement, appropriate pricing, branding and ways to expand market access.
Producer women participated alongside representatives of organisations and companies including Sattuj, NCDEX Limited, FPCs and Platform India Private Limited.
Buyers also suggested ways to connect these products with national markets and e-commerce platforms, potentially giving rural producers access to customers beyond their local markets.
Bhagalpur Woman Records Rs 2.5 Lakh Sales
Amrita Devi from Kharik block in Bhagalpur district is among the women entrepreneurs showcasing products at the fair.
She has sold more than Rs 2.5 lakh worth of cotton and khadi clothing in three days, according to JEEViKA.
Amrita has been associated with the Chanda JEEViKA Women’s Self-Help Group since 2018. With support from JEEViKA and a loan through her self-help group, she initially started a small business selling cotton and khadi clothing.
She later expanded the business and established a mini-factory. The unit currently provides employment to more than 24 JEEViKA women and their family members, according to the organisation.
Platform For Rural Enterprise
The Saras Mela is providing self-help group members with an opportunity to sell directly to consumers while also interacting with buyers and understanding market requirements.
The event is also exposing visitors to traditional crafts, food and products from different parts of the country.
Through sales, buyer-seller interactions and market-linkage initiatives, the fair is creating opportunities for rural women to improve their products, strengthen branding and explore markets beyond their immediate communities.
The Bihar Saras Mela will continue at Gyan Bhawan, Patna, until September 29.
