Piyush Goyal Inaugurates APEDA’s First Patna Office, Ushering New Era for Bihar’s Agri-Exports
Strategic Move to Empower Farmers and Boost Global Reach
Introduction
Patna: Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, inaugurated the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) office in Patna on September 11, 2025, marking a significant milestone in Bihar’s agricultural export journey. The event, held during the Bihar Idea Festival, was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary and State Industries Minister Nitish Mishra.
Event Highlights
Goyal flagged off a 7-tonne consignment of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana to New Zealand, Canada, and the USA, led by woman entrepreneur Neha Arya of Nehashi, Darbhanga. He described the office as a mission to connect Bihar’s farmers with global markets, offering services like registration, market intelligence, and export facilitation. Previously, exporters relied on the Varanasi regional office, but the Patna hub promises faster coordination.
Significance for Bihar
The new office aims to enhance Bihar’s agri-export potential, with products like Jardalu Mango, Shahi Litchi, and Tilkut gaining international traction. Over the past three years, APEDA has trained farmers and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), improving quality standards and sustainable packaging. Goyal emphasized that this initiative will empower rural economies and women-led businesses.
Economic Impact
This development is expected to boost Bihar’s export revenue, which has seen growth with Mithila Makhana exports to the UAE and USA in 2024-25. The office’s strategic location will streamline processes, potentially increasing export volumes by 15-20% in the next two years, according to industry estimates.
Future Outlook
Goyal urged stakeholders to leverage this infrastructure for sustainable growth, aligning with India’s $50 billion agri-export target by 2030. The event, concluding at 03:45 PM IST, signals a new chapter for Bihar’s agrarian sector.
Conclusion
The Patna APEDA office launch underscores a commitment to agricultural innovation and export diversification, promising economic upliftment for Bihar’s farming community.
