State PCS - Bihar (BPSC)

• 20 May 2025

International Buyer-Seller Meet 2025

Why in News? 

 Bihar highlighted its agri-food potential at the International Buyer-Seller Meet (IBSM) 2025 in Patna, an event jointly organised by the state government, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), and Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI). 

 Key Points 

•  Significance of the Meet: 
  • The International Buyer-Seller Meet 2025 is a pivotal platform to boost the state’s role in India’s agri-exports, featuring Business-to-Business meetings, technical sessions, and exhibitions to foster partnerships, attract investments, and drive economic growth. 
    • The Meet attracted strong interest from global players, including those from the UAE, Japan, and Germany, seeking large-scale procurement of Bihar’s rice, spices, makhana, and fruits. 
  • The event aims to create new market linkages, enhance procurement for local Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Farmers Producer Organisations (FPOs), and convert Bihar’s agricultural strengths into export growth. 
  • The event is considered a milestone for rural economic growth and reaffirmed the government’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’. 
• PMFME Scheme & Future Prospects: 
  • In FY 2024–25, 10,270 loans worth Rs 624.42 crore were sanctioned under the PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME) Scheme—the highest among Indian states. 
  • The upcoming NIFTEM (National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management) institute in Bihar is a future hub of innovation in food technology. 
• Focus on Makhana Exports: 
  • The event saw the release of a strategic report titled “Strategies to Boost India’s Makhana Exports”, underscoring Bihar’s leadership in its unique GI-tagged product. 
    • As of 2024, there are 15 products with the GI tag in Bihar. These include Shahi Litchi, Bhagalpuri Zardalu mango, Katarni rice, Magahi Paan, Makhana (fox nut), Madhubani paintings, Sikki Grass Products, and Sujini Embroidery, etc. 

 PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME)  

• About: 
  • The Ministry of Food Processing Industry (MoFPI) has launched the PMFME scheme under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. 
  • The PMFME scheme aims to enhance the competitiveness of new and existing individual micro-enterprises in the unorganized segment of the food processing industry and promote formalization of the sector. 
  • The PMFME scheme is operational for a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25 with an outlay of Rs. 10,000 Crore. 
• Focus Areas: 
  • The scheme adopts the One District One Product (ODOP) approach to reap the benefit of scale in terms of procurement of inputs, availing common services and marketing of products. 
  • Other Focus areas include Waste to wealth products, minor forest products and Aspirational Districts. 

 Makhana 

• Mithila Makhana or Makhan (botanical name: Euryale ferox Salisb.) is a special variety of aquatic fox nut cultivated in Mithila region of Bihar and Nepal. 
  • Makhana is one of the three prestigious cultural identities of Mithila, along with Pan and fish. 
  • Mithila Makhana received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2022, with Bihar contributing 80% of Bihar's makhana production.
• Makhana contains protein and fiber, along with micronutrients like calcium, magnesium, iron, and phosphorus. 
• In May 2023, the Central government upgraded the Research Centre for Makhana, Darbhanga to "National Research Centre for Makhana, Darbhanga" and expanded its mandate to include other aquatic crops such as fish. 
• Announced in the Union Budget 2025–26, the proposed Makhana Board in Bihar seeks to streamline cultivation practices, offer technical assistance, ensure price stability, strengthen marketing infrastructure, and boost export potential.