Mithila Makhana Exports to Australia: A GI Tagged Milestone

India has marked a significant agri-export milestone with the first sea shipment of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana, an 18-metric-tonne consignment, successfully dispatched from Bihar to Australia. This development, announced by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, signifies a major step in global market reach.

• Consignment Size: 18 metric tonnes
• Containers Utilized: 7 containers
• Farmer Returns: Approximately 18% higher than market price for Darbhanga farmers

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated this crucial export. Farmers in Darbhanga directly supplied the product, ensuring direct benefits from the international trade.

Bihar’s Export Push Initiated

Bihar Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha flagged off the shipment from the Integrated Unit of Irradiation Cum Packhouse at Bihta, Patna. The Bihar Agriculture Department highlighted this as a pivotal move to connect the state’s farmers with international markets.

This initiative aims to shift Bihar from a ‘Production to Export’ model, leveraging modern facilities for irradiation, quality testing, packaging, and logistics. Such infrastructure is vital for meeting global quality standards and expanding market access for agricultural products.

Strategic Market Expansion Underway

While Mithila Makhana leads this effort, the successful shipment is expected to open doors for other agricultural commodities from Bihar. This broader strategy focuses on enhancing Bihar’s agri-export ecosystem through several key areas.

APEDA actively collaborates with state governments, exporters, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and processors to ensure quality assurance and market development. These partnerships are designed to expand global market access and cultivate sustainable income opportunities for all stakeholders involved.