Patna: Dairy, fisheries and animal resources minister Surendra Mehta on Friday said the state govt is working to expand the international sale of Sudha dairy products to Southeast Asia and West Asian markets to boost the income of dairy farmers.Addressing a press conference at Soochna Bhawan, Mehta said Sudha, the brand of Bihar State Milk Cooperative Federation Limited (COMFED), had already exported its products to the United States and Canada last year, and efforts were now underway to enter new overseas markets, particularly in Gulf countries and Southeast Asia.He said increased access to international markets would raise demand for Sudha products such as curd, sweets and other dairy items, helping improve milk prices for farmers. The minister said the government was actively promoting Sudha products at global platforms.According to Mehta, Sudha exported 5.7 metric tonnes of ghee to the US and 5.0 metric tonnes of gulab jamun to Canada in March 2025. The first export consignment was flagged off by chief minister Nitish Kumar last year. He added that Comfed had showcased its products at Gulfood 2025 and 2026 in Dubai and was exploring export opportunities in countries such as Singapore and Malaysia.Announcing a new fisheries initiative, the minister said fish shops named “Fresh Catch Kiosk” would be opened on the lines of Sudha outlets at key locations, particularly major intersections in Patna and other municipal corporation areas, by the end of this month. He said the kiosks would be allotted on a priority basis to members of the fishermen community.Mehta said Bihar had become self-reliant in milk and fish production. Fish production in the state increased to 9.59 lakh metric tonnes in 2024-25 from 8.73 lakh metric tonnes in 2023-24, recording a growth of 9.85%. He added that Bihar had moved from ninth to fourth position in fish production nationally over the past 10 years.On the dairy sector, the minister said a dairy cooperative society would be formed in every village. In the first phase, such societies would be set up in 24,248 villages. He also said Sudha sales outlets would be opened in all 8,053 panchayats of the state.Department secretary Shirsat Kapil Ashok said these outlets would be allotted through lottery to women beneficiaries under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana. He added that applicants must have at least 80 square feet of space, and male applicants who already own shops could also be considered by Comfed after assessing business viability.The minister added that mobile veterinary unit services were being made available in every block to strengthen animal healthcare services across Bihar.
