Odisha Farmers Export Fresh Vegetables to Dubai in Major Global Market Breakthrough
First-ever direct international export links Kalahandi and Nabarangpur farmers with overseas buyers
Bhubaneswar: In a major boost for Odisha’s agriculture sector, farmers from Kalahandi and Nabarangpur districts have successfully exported 1,000 kilograms of fresh vegetables to Dubai. The shipment, sent through Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, marks the state’s first structured and direct linkage between farmer collectives and an international market.
The export is being seen as a milestone for small and marginal farmers, opening new possibilities for global market access and higher income generation.
The consignment included a variety of fresh produce such as garlic, French beans, baby potatoes, ivy gourd, pointed gourd, and papaya. Notably, garlic and French beans were exported from Odisha for the first time.
All the produce was sourced from Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) members, highlighting the growing role of farmer-led institutions in organized agri-business and international trade.
The export was facilitated under the Promotion and Stabilization of Farmer Producer Organisations (PSFPO) project. The initiative is implemented by Palladium Consulting India Pvt Ltd with support from the Odisha Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), and backing from the Gates Foundation.
The project aims to strengthen FPOs by connecting them with high-value markets, both domestic and international.
As part of the initiative, agri-business startup Villa Mart Private Limited played a key role in connecting farmer groups with overseas buyers. Palladium Consulting provided incubation support to the startup, helping with produce aggregation, export licensing, certification, and compliance with international regulations.
This structured support ensured that farmers and startups could meet global quality standards and complete the export process smoothly.
To meet international requirements, the entire export process—from documentation to quality certification—was carefully coordinated. The produce was aggregated from farmers in the economically backward districts of Kalahandi and Nabarangpur, with strict quality checks and traceability systems in place.
Officials said the successful shipment demonstrates how institutional support and proper planning can help farmers overcome traditional barriers to global trade.
The Dubai consignment is being treated as a pilot project aimed at creating sustained export opportunities for Odisha’s fresh produce. The Directorate of Horticulture played a crucial role by coordinating farmer participation, logistics, and inter-agency collaboration.
Based on the success of this pilot, similar exports are expected to be scaled up in the future.
The development comes at a time when Odisha’s Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment is drafting a new Agri Export Policy. The policy will focus on integrating farmers with global markets, encouraging private-sector participation, and improving farm incomes through exports.
Officials believe the Dubai export aligns well with the state’s long-term vision of making agriculture more market-driven and profitable.
Soumya Ranjan Sahoo, Agri Business Expert at Palladium Consulting India, said the initiative reflects a strong commitment to improving farmer livelihoods through global market strategies and innovation.
Villa Mart Founder and CEO Dr Ramesh Chandra Biswal said the Dubai shipment marked a major shift for the startup. He noted that meeting international compliance standards was challenging, but the incubation and documentation support made the export possible.
Senior officials from the agriculture department, Palladium, and Villa Mart were present during the consignment dispatch, highlighting the collaborative effort behind Odisha’s first structured agri export to Dubai.
