Patna: A new trade agreement between India and the United Kingdom has brought good news for farmers and traders in Bihar’s Mithila region. Known for producing high-quality makhana, the area is now expected to see a big rise in exports and earnings. With the introduction of a new export code and reduced tariffs, business is likely to boom.
Earlier, makhana was exported under the dry fruit category, making it hard to track how much was being sold abroad. But now, it has been given its own HS (Harmonized System) code, which means it can be traded more easily and openly. Local businessman Bhuvan Saravgi from Darbhanga, who runs Makhayo Foods, said that earlier a 12% tax was charged on makhana exports. After the deal, this has dropped to just 2.5%, making it cheaper for buyers in the UK.
This change is expected to increase demand for makhana in international markets. E. Shravan Roy, another trader from Madhubani, said that makhana worth Rs 3–4 crore is already being exported to the UK every year. With the new agreement in place, he believes that number will go up soon.
Dr. Manoj Kumar from the National Makhana Research Center said that about 10,000 tonnes of makhana seeds are produced every year in Darbhanga, with over 15 lakh people in North Bihar involved in its cultivation and trade. With this trade deal, farmers, workers, and traders in the Mithila region are feeling hopeful about a stronger future.
