The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), in close partnership with the Government of Bihar, APEDA, and the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI), successfully concluded the first-ever International Buyer-Seller Meet (IBSM) in Bihar at Gyan Bhawan, Patna. The two-day event marked a milestone in Bihar’s agri-food journey, establishing direct linkages between state’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) with leading international buyers.

The tone was set by Shri Chirag Paswan, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, whose visionary address positioned the IBSM as a defining milestone in Bihar’s economic resurgence. Calling it part of a transformative mission, he envisioned a Bihar where youth become job creators and local crops earn global recognition and value. Reflecting on the State’s civilisational legacy, he said Bihar’s spirit of knowledge, resilience, and leadership is now powering its rise in the global agri-food economy. He affirmed that a Viksit Bihar will naturally pave the way for the realisation of the vision of Viksit Bharat.

The IBSM saw participation from over 70 international buyers representing 20 countries—including delegates from the UAE, Singapore, Japan, Ghana, Spain, Germany, and the UK—alongside more than 50 domestic and 20 institutional buyers. More than 500 structured B2B meetings were held in the IBSM, creating unprecedented export opportunities for Bihar’s signature products such as GI-tagged makhana (fox nut), Shahi litchi, Zardalu mango, and Katarni rice. Through these meetings, many processors gained direct market leads, opening new pathways to scale their operations and integrate into global value chains.

Several promising leads emerged across key product categories in the IBSM. Buyers from West Africa expressed interest in Sattu, a high-protein traditional food with export potential. Singapore-based firms initiated discussions for commercial supply of litchi and mango, while airline and railway catering entities explored sourcing makhana, rice, pulses, and lentils for in-flight services and premium-category trains.

A highlight of the meet was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between APEDA, the Government of Bihar, and UAE-based Lulu Group. This agreement aims to extend the shelf life and export potential of Bihar’s renowned litchis, opening new avenues for the state’s horticultural exports.

In addition to the trade engagements, the IBSM featured a comprehensive capacity-building programme designed to empower Bihar’s micro-entrepreneurs, FPOs, SHGs, and food processors. Experts from MoFPI, APEDA, NIFTEM-Kundli, ICRIER, the Indian Institute of Packaging, EXIM Bank, and Start-Up India conducted technical sessions covering topics such as innovative cultivation practices, value chain development, export preparedness, advanced packaging, organic certification, and start-up formalisation. MoFPI officials also sensitised participants about key schemes of the Ministry, especially the PMFME scheme—under which the highest number of units in the country during FY 2024–25 were sanctioned in Bihar. Through these sessions, local agri-businesses are now better equipped to boost their competitiveness, elevate product quality, comply with international standards, and tap into new domestic and global markets.

The public exhibition, featuring over 120 exhibitors, brought together a powerful cross-section of Bihar’s agri-food ecosystem—from FPOs and women-led SHGs to emerging exporters and national & international brands. It served not only as a showcase of Bihar’s processing potential but also as a live demonstration of the convergence between grassroots enterprise and global ambition.

The success of the IBSM is a testament to the Centre-State synergy that underpinned its execution. Conceptualised and steered by MoFPI, this initiative exemplified seamless coordination among multiple agencies in mobilising producers, fostering strategic partnerships, and ensuring smooth logistical operations on the ground. This model of collaboration underscores the spirit of cooperative federalism needed to unlock regional economic transformation.

As the IBSM draws to a close, it marks more than the success of a trade event as it reflects India’s evolving approach to food diplomacy, where domestic enterprise becomes a channel for global engagement. By creating direct pathways between Bihar’s grassroots producers and international buyers, the IBSM demonstrated how local value chains can anchor global partnerships. With strong agri-resources, entrepreneurial momentum, and now global linkages, Bihar is poised to play a defining role in this journey, positioning India as the Global Food Basket.

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STK

(Release ID: 2130228)