GI-Tagged Mithila Makhana from Purnia makes first-ever sea shipment to Dubai

In a significant milestone for India’s agricultural exports, GI-tagged Mithila Makhana from Purnia, Bihar, has been successfully exported to Dubai for the first time via sea route. This landmark achievement marks a new chapter in taking Bihar’s traditional produce to global markets and highlights the growing international recognition of the hard work and dedication of local farmers.

The successful shipment has been facilitated with the support of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), underlining the Government of India’s continued efforts to strengthen agri-exports and integrate farmers with global value chains. With APEDA’s guidance and institutional support, Bihar is steadily advancing as an emerging hub for high-value agricultural exports.

Mithila Makhana, known for its superior quality, nutritional value, and cultural significance, has gained global attention following the grant of the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The GI recognition has played a crucial role in enhancing the product’s credibility in international markets, ensuring traceability, and protecting the interests of traditional producers.

This first sea export to Dubai is expected to open new avenues for international trade, offering better price realization and long-term market access for makhana growers. The initiative is a major step towards enhancing farmers’ incomes, promoting value addition, and strengthening Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) by enabling them to participate more actively in export-led growth.

The achievement reflects Bihar’s growing focus on agri-export infrastructure, quality compliance, and farmer-centric development. With increasing global demand for healthy, plant-based, and traditional Indian superfoods, Mithila Makhana is well-positioned to emerge as a flagship export product from the state.

This development reaffirms Bihar’s commitment to empowering farmers, boosting rural livelihoods, and positioning indigenous agricultural products on the global stage.

Source - The article is written based on the information provided by Shri Piyush Goyal on X