Bihar Highlights Agri-Food Opportunities at International Buyer-Seller Meet
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries, in collaboration with the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI), and the Government of Bihar, is set to host the International Buyer Seller Meet (IBSM) in Patna on May 19 and 20, 2025. This significant event aims to unite key players from the food and allied sectors to enhance trade, boost exports, and unlock the agricultural potential of Bihar. With participation from international buyers and a focus on creating new market linkages, the meet is poised to transform Bihar into a vital hub for agri-food exports.
Inaugural Session Highlights
The inaugural session of the IBSM was attended by prominent figures, including Shri Chirag Paswan, the Union Minister of Food Processing Industries, and Shri Vijay Kumar Sinha, the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar. They were joined by other senior officials from various organizations, emphasizing the collaborative effort behind the event. The meet has attracted 70 international buyers from 20 countries, including six global retail chains, alongside 50 domestic and 20 institutional buyers. With over 400 curated B2B meetings scheduled, the event aims to foster procurement opportunities for local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and farmer producer organizations (FPOs), ultimately translating Biharโs agricultural strengths into export success.
Global Interest and Procurement Commitments
The event has garnered significant interest from global players such as LuLu Group from the UAE, SARTAJ from Japan, and Global Foods Trading from Germany. These companies are exploring large-scale procurement of various products, including rice, spices, makhana, and fruits from Bihar. Additionally, firms like Royal Golden Trading and UVR Natural Foods have announced concrete sourcing plans, reinforcing Bihar’s reputation as a reliable sourcing hub. The meet also featured a welcome address by Shri Abhishek Dev, Chairman of APEDA, who highlighted the importance of bridging market access for Indiaโs agricultural producers and processors.
Government Initiatives and Future Prospects
During the session, Shri Mihir Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary of Industries in Bihar, and Shri Minhaj Alam, Additional Secretary of MoFPI, stressed the need to enhance food processing levels in the state to create long-term employment and attract investment. In his keynote address, Shri Nitish Mishra, Bihar’s Minister of Industries, emphasized the state’s potential to become a growth engine for East India, citing the presence of a Government of India-approved Mega Food Park in Muzaffarpur. He encouraged investors to take advantage of Biharโs industrial infrastructure and investor-friendly policies.
Shri Chirag Paswan reiterated the government’s vision of “Viksit Bharat @2047,” stating that the IBSM represents a turning point for rural prosperity. He emphasized the importance of empowering Bihar’s youth to become job creators and highlighted the government’s commitment to facilitating investments. The Minister also announced that the Ministry has sanctioned a record number of loans to micro food processing units in Bihar, reflecting the government’s focused efforts to strengthen rural enterprises.
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