Patna: Bihar’s traditional food products sattu and makhana are set to get an international platform at the upcoming BRICS Summit, where delegates and foreign guests will get a taste of the state’s local cuisine.
The presentation of these products is aimed at showcasing Bihar’s traditional food culture while highlighting the global potential of its agricultural and local products. The initiative is also expected to strengthen the identity of ‘Brand Bihar’ by connecting locally produced foods with an international audience.
Sattu and makhana have strong cultural and economic links with the state. While sattu is deeply embedded in Bihar’s everyday food habits, makhana has emerged as one of the state’s major agricultural products with growing demand in domestic and international markets.
Sattu Brings Bihar’s Traditional Taste to BRICS
Sattu is closely associated with Bihar’s everyday food culture and is consumed in several forms. It is used in popular dishes such as litti-chokha and sattu paratha, while sattu mixed with water is also widely consumed as a traditional summer drink.
Often described locally as a nutritious traditional drink, sattu represents the connection between Bihar’s food traditions and its rural economy.
Its presence at the BRICS Summit will give international visitors an opportunity to experience a food product closely linked with the daily lives of people in the state.
The growing possibilities of modern processing and packaging could also help sattu reach wider domestic and international markets.
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Bihar Produces 90% of India’s Makhana
Makhana is another major product being highlighted as part of the Brand Bihar initiative. Bihar accounts for around 90 per cent of the country’s total makhana production, making it the leading production centre for the crop.
Several districts of Mithila and North Bihar are involved in makhana cultivation and processing.
According to the figures provided by the Agriculture Department, India’s makhana production reached 80,590 metric tonnes in 2025-26, with average productivity of 2.34 metric tonnes per hectare.
In 2024-25, estimated national production stood at 63,910 metric tonnes, while average productivity was 2.03 metric tonnes per hectare.
The sharp growth reflects the increasing importance of makhana in India’s agricultural and food-processing economy.
Makhana Finds New Identity as Healthy Snack
Makhana has increasingly moved beyond its traditional role and gained popularity as a healthy snack and superfood. Its growing demand in international markets has created new opportunities for farmers, processors and food entrepreneurs in Bihar.
Its presentation at an international event such as the BRICS Summit could help introduce the product to a wider audience and strengthen awareness of Bihar as a major source of makhana.
The growing global market could also create opportunities for better branding, processing and exports, benefiting producers and enterprises involved in the value chain.
Chana Production Also Rises in Bihar
Alongside makhana and sattu, Bihar has also recorded growth in gram (chana) production over the past decade.
State production increased from 57,490 metric tonnes in 2014-15 to 63,569 metric tonnes in 2024-25, representing an increase of more than 6,000 metric tonnes.
The figures reflect the wider agricultural base behind Bihar’s local food economy and the potential to promote more state-origin products beyond the domestic market.
From Local Products to Global Markets
The presence of Bihar’s traditional products at the BRICS Summit is not limited to food and hospitality. It also creates an opportunity to connect local producers with a wider global market.
International exposure can help strengthen the branding, packaging and marketing of products such as makhana and sattu. Greater recognition among international visitors could eventually support opportunities in exports, food processing, investment and entrepreneurship.
For farmers and local businesses, stronger branding can create demand beyond traditional markets and encourage further development of value-added products.
‘Brand Bihar’ Gets a New Dimension
Bihar’s identity has traditionally been associated with its historical, cultural and spiritual heritage. The promotion of local agricultural and food products adds another dimension to this identity.
Sattu reflects Bihar’s everyday food traditions, while makhana represents the state’s water-based agriculture, farmers and growing food-processing sector.
Their presence at the BRICS Summit brings these two aspects together—tradition and economic opportunity.
By presenting sattu and makhana before international delegates, Bihar is seeking to demonstrate that its local products can carry the state’s identity beyond its borders. The initiative could also encourage greater attention to local entrepreneurship, agricultural value chains and global market opportunities.
The BRICS platform therefore offers more than a chance to showcase Bihar’s traditional taste. It provides an opportunity to position Brand Bihar around its agriculture, food culture and locally produced goods while creating a stronger connection between rural producers and global markets.
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