Odisha Farmers Export Garlic and Beans to Dubai for First Time

Farmers from Odisha’s Kalahandi and Nabarangpur districts have successfully exported 1,000 kg of fresh agricultural produce to Dubai, marking a significant milestone as the state’s first structured, direct linkage between farmer collectives and an international market. The consignment, dispatched on March 15, 2024, included garlic and French beans, alongside baby potatoes, ivy gourd, pointed gourd, and papaya—items that have not been exported from Odisha before.

This export initiative, facilitated under the Promotion and Stabilization of Farmer Producer Organisations (PSFPO) project, highlights the growing involvement of small and marginal farmers in global agricultural trade. The project is implemented by Palladium Consulting India Pvt Ltd with support from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), alongside backing from the Gates Foundation.

Connecting Farmers to Global Markets

The agri-business startup Villa Mart Private Limited played a crucial role in linking farmer-led institutions with overseas markets. Palladium provided significant incubation support to Villa Mart, which included assistance in sourcing produce, securing export licenses, and ensuring compliance with international regulatory requirements. The process involved meticulous coordination from documentation to quality certification, demonstrating how structured institutional support can effectively connect Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) with global markets.

The agricultural produce was aggregated from farmers in the economically challenged Kalahandi and Nabarangpur districts. Authorities implemented quality checks and traceability systems to meet international standards. This shipment is being viewed as a pilot project aimed at establishing sustained overseas market access for fresh produce from Odisha.

Strategic Shift in Agricultural Export

Officials from Odisha’s Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment have been drafting a new Agri Export Policy that focuses on global market integration, structured private-sector engagement, and enhancing farmer incomes. “This initiative reflects our commitment to strengthening farmer livelihoods through innovative market strategies and global linkages,” stated Soumya Ranjan Sahoo, Agri Business Expert at Palladium Consulting India.

Dr. Ramesh Chandra Biswal, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Villa Mart, expressed that the Dubai shipment represents a strategic transition from local to international trade. “Meeting global compliance standards was a significant challenge, and the incubation and documentation support provided made this possible,” he remarked.

The dispatch of the consignment was attended by senior officials from the agriculture department, Villa Mart, and Palladium, underscoring the collaborative effort that brought this export initiative to fruition. This successful export not only highlights the potential of Odisha’s agricultural sector but also sets a precedent for future international trade endeavors by local farmers.