Shahi Litchi from Bihar was exported to the United Kingdom, will boost farmers’ incomes
Bengaluru: In a move that will boost farmers’ incomes, GI certified products, season’s first consignment of Shahi Litchi from Bihar was exported to the United Kingdom, reports Swarajya.
It added that the fruit is being exported by Cira Enterprises and sourced from farmers in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.
“Because of short-shelf life of litchi, there is a need to explore export opportunities for the processed and value-added products,” the Ministry of Commerce and Industry was quoted by the website.
It should be noted that Shahi litchi was the fourth agricultural product to get GI certification from Bihar in 2018. Earlier, Jardalu mango, Katarni rice and Magahi paan had got it. GI registration for Shahi Litchi is held with the Muzaffarpur-based Litchi Growers Association of Bihar.
Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Samastipur, Champaran, Begusarai districts and adjoining areas of Bihar have favourable climate for growing Shahi Litchi.
India is the second largest producer of litchi (Litchi chin) in the world, after China. The translucent, flavoured aril or edible flesh of the litchi is popular as a table fruit in India, while in China and Japan it is preferred in dried or canned form. Bihar tops in terms of production of litchi.
Bihar government is making efforts in association with APEDA and other agencies for creating required infrastructures such as customs clearance facility, laboratory testing facility, pack-houses, pre-cooling facilities, which would harness and boost agricultural exports potential of the State.
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