✎ APEDA’s first sea export of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana to Australia boosts Bihar’s farmers’ income and global market reach.

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The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) recently facilitated the first commercial consignment of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana from Bihar to Australia via sea route, marking a significant milestone in India’s agricultural exports. The 18-metric-ton shipment, sourced directly from farmers in Darbhanga, fetched nearly 18% higher earnings compared to conventional market rates, highlighting the economic benefits of export-oriented value chains. This initiative not only strengthens the global presence of Mithila Makhana—a premium GI-tagged product from Bihar—but also creates sustainable export opportunities for local farmers, aligning with the government’s push for higher farm incomes and agricultural diversification. The consignment was flagged off by Bihar’s Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, underscoring state-level support for boosting agricultural exports.

For banking and SSC aspirants, this development underscores the role of government agencies like APEDA in promoting agricultural exports, which is crucial for India’s foreign trade and rural economy. For RBI Grade B candidates, it reflects the interplay between agricultural productivity, GI tags (intellectual property rights), and export competitiveness, which can influence trade policies, inflation dynamics, and rural credit demand. The introduction of a dedicated HS code for Makhana in the Union Budget 2025 further emphasizes the government’s focus on formalizing and expanding niche agricultural exports, a topic relevant for economic surveys and policy discussions in competitive exams.

Source: PIB (Press Information Bureau)

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