Makhana exported to Greece and Canada

India has exported one tonne of makhana from Purnea, Bihar, to Greece and 24 tonnes of frozen food products from Sonipat, Haryana, to Canada, the commerce ministry said on Friday.

The export of these products marks another step towards expanding international market access for Indian food items, it said. India is the leader in Makhana production, with Bihar contributing 80-85 per cent of the country’s production. Makhana cultivation in Bihar spans over 35,000 hectares across 10 districts. The sector is backed by technical interventions at the grassroots level from Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Sabour, and ICAR-National Research Centre for Makhana, Darbhanga. On exports from Sonipat, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said exports of products like green peas, mixed vegetables, sweet corn, and samosas is a significant step towards connecting farmers to the global value chain.