In a landmark achievement for Odisha’s agricultural sector, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in the state have successfully ventured into international markets with their inaugural commercial shipment of fresh mangoes and vegetables. This significant milestone was made possible through a strategic partnership between the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the state Directorate of Horticulture, and Palladium, the technical support unit for the ‘Promotion and Stabilisation of Farmer Producer Organisations (PSFPO)’ project.
Breaking Barriers: The Maiden Export
On May 15, a momentous occasion unfolded at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneshwar as 0.75 tonnes of fresh vegetables embarked on a journey to Dubai. Among these, 0.5 MT was supplied by the Madanamohana Farmers Producer Cooperative Society Ltd, an FPO hailing from Dhenkanal district. Concurrently, 1.22 tonnes of premium Amrapali and Dussehri variety mangoes from the same FPO found their way to Italy over recent days.
Economic Empowerment for Farmers
The transition to global markets has yielded tangible benefits for farmers associated with these FPOs. They have witnessed a remarkable surge in revenue, with export prices fetching 20-30% higher returns compared to domestic sales. Sitakanata Mandal, APEDA’s Regional Head, commended the collaborative efforts, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to facilitating fresh produce exports. Mandal credited the success to the instrumental role played by Palladium in identifying and bridging FPOs with exporters.
Unleashing Odisha’s Agricultural Potential
Biswajit Behera, Associate Director of Palladium, highlighted Odisha’s vast agricultural landscape, boasting over 800 FPOs, and its untapped potential for global exports. The establishment of market linkages with export supply chains is poised to elevate farmer incomes and foster sustainable business opportunities for FPOs across the state. Behera reaffirmed Palladium’s dedication to expanding access to global markets for FPOs, particularly in remote areas, while facilitating the adoption of efficient quality control systems to enhance operational scalability.
As Odisha’s FPOs chart new territories in global trade, the state’s agricultural landscape stands poised for transformative growth, promising prosperity for its farming communities and bolstering its stature as a key player in the international agricultural arena.