Bhubaneshwar: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the Odisha Directorate of Horticulture, with Palladium’s support as the technical support unit (TSU) of the Promotion and Stabilization of Farmer Producer Organizations (PSFPO) project, have facilitated the first-ever dragon fruit export from Patnagarh in Balangir district, Odisha, to Dubai. On September 4, 2024, around four quintals of premium quality, organically grown dragon fruits were shipped to Dubai through Bhubaneswar International Airport.
Deputy Chief Minister, KV Singh Deo; Principal Secretary, Dr. Arabinda K Padhee; Director of Horticulture, Nikhil Pavan Kalyan; Regional Director of APEDA, Sitakanta Mandal; Associate Director of Palladium, Biswajit Behera, and team members of PSFPO, along with representatives from the Airport Authority of India, World Trade Centre, and VeloExim, flagged off the consignment at the airport.
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Farmers meticulously cultivated these dragon fruits, known for their vibrant red flesh and superior size, using organic practices. Although they maintained high quality, saturation in the local market had driven prices down to between Rs 120 and 160 per kg. However, this export initiative has significantly increased their value, allowing them to fetch prices of Rs 250 to 260 per kg in the international market.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo highlighted the collaboration’s impact on the state’s agricultural exports. He said, “Organic dragon fruits have shown tremendous benefits for cancer patients and have also been effective in reducing blood pressure, managing sugar levels, and combating other diseases. I am optimistic that these fresh and organic products will reach every household, contributing to better health outcomes. Additionally, I look forward to expanding exports to Southeast Asian countries where there is high demand. I am deeply grateful to APEDA, the Directorate of Horticulture, and Palladium India for making this export a reality.”
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Speaking at the occasion, Biswajit Behera, Associate Director at Palladium India, said, “Through our Market System Development (MSD) approach, Palladium has been supporting FPOs to access export markets by ensuring quality control measures. Since the export journey began in May this year, we have facilitated the export of products from several districts in Odisha to seven different countries worldwide. We are thrilled that fruit crops like dragon fruit, produced in Odisha, have now gained the recognition they deserve and are being sold at nearly double their value in the international market. Being fully organic, dragon fruit offers numerous health benefits, and we are excited to see people across the globe enjoying them. We look forward to increasing exports of spices, floriculture and millets, in addition to fresh vegetables, in the future.”
This achievement reflects the tireless efforts of Palladium India, which has been working closely with the Odisha government to strengthen the farmer ecosystem. Their initiatives have included upskilling farmers, enhancing supply chains, and facilitating market development. Notably, through their collaboration with APEDA, they successfully exported mangoes and vegetables in recent months. Moving forward, they plan to expand exports to new markets and initiate spice exports to the European Union.
