Patna: As many as 14 letter of intents (LoI) worth over ₹2,181 crore were signed by entrepreneurs in at the food processing investors’ meet, organised jointly by the Union food processing industries and the department of industries, Bihar, here on Monday. The event was held as a prelude to the Bihar Business Connect, scheduled to be held in Patna on December 19-20.
The meet showcased the state’s strategic initiatives, policy reforms, and abundant opportunities in the food processing sector; highlighting Bihar’s rich agricultural heritage, evolving infrastructure, and investor-friendly policies, the event reinforced the region’s position as a thriving hub for food processing industries.
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Addressing the gathering, Union food processing industries minister Chirag Paswan emphasized the transformative potential of Bihar’s food processing industry, and stated, “There are endless possibilities in Bihar, and the government is working diligently to utilize them fully. Bihar will play a big role in realizing the dream of becoming a developed India, if we are successful in taking advantage of the opportunities present here. Our society is changing rapidly, in which the demand for processed food is going to increase continuously. In such a situation, this is the best time to invest in this sector.
Paswan said that Bihar is a major producer of many products like litchi, butter and makhana, using which investors can expand their business and actively contribute to the efforts of the state and central government to increase the income of farmers. “The Central government and the food processing ministry are ready to provide all possible support to Bihar as well as the investors. The Central government has approved ₹6,000 crore infrastructure projects for building roads, dry ports and logistics parks in the state,” he added.
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Industries department officials said that the LoIs signed underscore a strong commitment to bolstering Bihar’s agro-industrial ecosystem and the key investments highlight a diverse range of initiatives aimed at value addition, export promotion and employment generation in Bihar’s food processing sector. The event also witnessed active participation from other key departments, including livestock and fisheries, highlighting a collaborative approach to driving growth in the food processing ecosystem. Investors shared invaluable suggestions, contributing significant insights to enhance the strategic direction of the initiatives.
Highlighting the state’s commitment to this transformative journey, chief secretary Amrit Lal Meena said, “Bihar’s strategic location and agricultural abundance provide unmatched opportunities for investors. With a strong focus on policy reforms, infrastructure development, and industry-friendly governance, we are dedicated to building a vibrant ecosystem that accelerates economic growth and creates sustainable employment opportunities.”
Shedding light on the extraordinary confluence of ideas, insights, and commitments aimed at transforming Bihar into a global hub for food processing and agro-industries, industries minister Nitish Mishra said, “Bihar is continuously moving on the path of progress. From infrastructure to development of business parks, our government is dedicated to the progress of Bihar. The state is currently providing a golden opportunity for investment. The interest of investors and the readiness of the government can be gauged from the fact that in the last few months we have approved investments worth ₹5500 crore.”
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Mishra further said that the government had doled out subsidies and incentives to investors without any issues. “By investing in Bihar, investors can also take advantage of the markets of nearby countries. For example, India’s exports from Bihar are about ₹50,000 crores. Hence, when it comes to the scope of investing in Bihar, sky’s the limit,” the minister said.
Industries department secretary Bandana Preyashi, said, “Bihar has a highly evolved business ecosystem, with systems like single-window clearance and online land allotment. This makes Bihar an investor-ready state, resulting in over 35 lakh MSMEs, which today contribute significantly to the state economy and employment generation. We have signed 238 MOUs in the last ten months, worth ₹38.5K crore. This showcases the interest of investors in the state.”
Principal secretary, animal husbandry department, N Vijaya Lakshmi, while shedding light on the fisheries and livestock business in Bihar, said, “Bihar’s livestock and fisheries sectors offer immense opportunities for investors. The livestock sector grew at 10.67% (2012–2019) and contributes 28% to agricultural GDP, which is 20% of the state’s GDP. With abundant water bodies, Bihar is self-sufficient in fisheries and exports to other states, showcasing its potential as a thriving hub for agri-business investments.”
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Highlighting the thriving agri-based ecosystem in Bihar, agriculture department secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal said, “Bihar is a hub of opportunities for the food processing industry, with abundant raw materials and a 70% population engaged in agriculture, possessing vast expertise. The state’s agricultural output, especially crops like maize, has shown consistent growth, making it an ideal destination for investors looking to capitalize on a thriving agri-based ecosystem.”
Development commissioner Pratyaya Amrit said while emphasising on the resolve to create a thriving ecosystem for food processing industries, “Investment in the field of food processing industry in Bihar can prove to be very profitable, because all the conditions here are favourable for this industry. Investors should definitely take advantage of this. Bihar government is ready to provide them all possible help.”
