In a major boost to Bihar’s agricultural and processed food export potential, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, inaugurated the Regional Office of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in Patna during the Bihar Idea Festival on 11 September 2025. The event was attended by Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Shri Samrat Chaudhary, Industries Minister Shri Nitish Mishra, senior state officials, APEDA leadership, entrepreneurs, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and farmer groups.

Bihar boasts a rich agri-ecosystem with high-potential produce such as Shahi Litchi, Jardalu Mango, Mithila Makhana, Magahi Pan, staple grains, fruits and vegetables. Several products carry Geographical Indication (GI) tags, enhancing their global appeal and giving the state a competitive edge in international agri-trade.

The new APEDA office in Patna provides farmers, producers and exporters direct access to registration, advisory services, market intelligence, certification assistance, export facilitation, infrastructure support and international trade opportunities. Previously, exporters from Bihar relied on APEDA’s Varanasi office. The Patna office will significantly reduce response times and strengthen coordination with state-level institutions.

Shri Piyush Goyal said, “The opening of APEDA’s Regional Office in Patna is more than an administrative milestone—it is a mission to integrate Bihar’s farmers with the global economy. Our farmers, entrepreneurs and exporters have the potential to feed the world. With the right support, Bihar will emerge as a leader in high-value, sustainable agri-exports.”

The Deputy Chief Minister praised the initiative and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to fostering farmer-led growth and export readiness. APEDA’s support in capacity building, market linkage and quality enhancement has been instrumental in realising these exports.

Adding a historic touch, a 7-metric-ton consignment of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana was flagged off for New Zealand, Canada and the USA. The shipment was executed by Ms Neha Arya, founder of Nehashi from Darbhanga, demonstrating APEDA’s commitment to inclusive and women-led trade promotion.

Ms Arya’s achievement highlights the growing role of women entrepreneurs in Bihar’s agri-sector and the rising global demand for the state’s high-value GI-tagged produce. It also reflects cooperative federalism, with institutional support provided jointly by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry through APEDA and the Government of Bihar.

Over the past three years, APEDA has implemented a comprehensive engagement strategy in Bihar, including training programmes for farmers, FPOs and exporters on global quality standards, packaging, logistics and compliance protocols. International exposure visits were facilitated to the UAE and domestic centres of excellence in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, such as IIVR, IRRI and CISH Lucknow, providing insights into post-harvest handling, quality assurance and export documentation.

Special focus was placed on sustainable packaging for Shahi Litchi in Muzaffarpur, while collaborations with state departments, universities and research bodies like NRC Litchi and NRC Makhana enhanced technical know-how and value chain efficiency. Additionally, an International Buyer-Seller Meet (IBSM) held on 19–20 May 2025 in Patna brought together over 70 international buyers from 22 countries and 40+ domestic exporters, further linking Bihar’s agri-produce to global markets.