Lagatar24 Desk
Patna: Bihar’s vegetables are now making their mark on the international stage. For the first time, a shipment of 1,500 kg of fresh, high-quality vegetables from the state has been exported to Dubai. The consignment included jackfruit, bitter gourd, cauliflower, bottle gourd, and a variety of other produce, totalling ten different vegetables. This initiative brings new hope to local farmers and marks a significant step toward the state government’s vision of “Bihari vegetables on every plate.”
Flagged off by Cooperation Minister
The shipment was officially flagged off by Cooperation Minister Dr. Prem Kumar at the Dashrath Manjhi Institute of Labour and Employment Studies in Patna. As Bihar currently lacks a dedicated export center, the consignment was transported by road to Varanasi airport, from where it was sent via air cargo to Dubai’s Lulu Mall.
This historic step was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the Bihar State Vegetable Processing and Marketing Federation (VEGFED).
Next stop: Singapore
Minister Prem Kumar announced that preparations are underway for the next shipment to Singapore, which will primarily include boro rice (a winter-grown variety), bananas, and brinjals. He emphasized that this milestone was achieved through VEGFED’s efforts to provide farmers with access to modern farming techniques, quality seeds, and processing support.
200 retail outlets planned within three months
The Bihar government aims to establish Primary Vegetable Production Cooperative Societies (PVCS) in all 534 blocks of the state by June 30. As of now, 495 societies have been formed. The initial trial consignment to Dubai was prepared with contributions from the regional vegetable federations of Harit, Tirhut, Mithila, and Magadh.
Looking ahead, the government plans to launch 200 retail vegetable outlets across the state within the next three months. These centers will help local consumers access fresh produce directly and ensure that farmers receive fair market prices.
