Patna: Bihar is moving from ‘Vocal for Local’ to ‘Local to Global’, BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi said on Saturday as 18 metric tonnes of GI-tagged Mithila makhana was exported to Australia for the first time via sea route.Union minister Piyush Goyal said the consignment, procured directly from Darbhanga, had provided farmers nearly 18% more profit than the market price. Bihar agriculture minister Vijay Kumar Sinha had flagged off the consignment from Bihta Dry Port on Friday.Bihar accounts for nearly 85% of India’s makhana production. A separate HS Code for makhana came into effect in July 2025 under the Finance Bill, 2025. During FY 2025-26, India exported more than 7,000 MT of makhana and value-added products to over 20 international destinations, including the US, the Middle East and Africa.JD(U) national working president and MP Sanjay Kumar Jha said several Mithila products, including makhana, were gaining a new identity in global markets due to farmer-friendly policies of the NDA’s central and state govts and the vision of ‘Vocal for Local’ to ‘Local to Global’.The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority facilitated the commercial sea shipment to Australia and continues to work with state govts, exporters, startups and farmer organisations to boost agricultural exports.Saraogi said the development would help farmers secure better prices, create employment opportunities and strengthen Bihar’s agricultural economy.
