Monday, 9 June 2025
Bihar enters global market with vegetable exports to Dubai through COMFED-style cooperative.
Bihar has taken a significant step toward globalizing its agriculture sector with the export of a 1,500-kilogram consignment of fresh vegetables to Dubai. The produce, sourced from across the state, is bound for retail at Lulu Mall in Dubai—a key international retail partner in the initiative.
State Cooperative Minister Dr Prem Kumar confirmed the development, framing it as part of a broader effort to introduce Bihari vegetables to global markets. The export was facilitated by the Bihar State Vegetable Processing and Marketing Cooperative Federation Limited (VEGFED), a body modeled on the state’s successful dairy cooperative, COMFED.
VEGFED is working with farmers from traditional dairy-producing regions such as Tirhut, Vaishali, Champaran, and Magadh, which are now being integrated into a vegetable export supply chain. The government believes this model can significantly boost farmer incomes, with Minister Kumar noting that international sales could yield returns up to 20 times higher than domestic prices.
The inaugural shipment included ten varieties of vegetables, including jackfruit, cauliflower, brinjal, and bottle gourd. Encouraged by the initial response, Lulu Mall has placed a request for a larger shipment of 45 metric tonnes. VEGFED is also preparing to expand exports to Singapore as part of its wider international strategy.
Domestically, the government is rolling out a network of “Tarkari” vegetable outlets, modeled after COMFED’s milk booths, to strengthen branding and retail access. Of the 534 outlets planned across the state, 200 have already been approved and funded.
This export initiative aligns with the International Year of Cooperatives, with Bihar aiming to replicate its dairy sector’s success in the vegetable trade. To support this vision, VEGFED committees will be set up in all 495 blocks of the state, with four cooperative unions already active in implementation.
