India, June 13 -- In a landmark moment for Odisha's agri-export journey, the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Odisha flagged off the first consignment of mangoes to Abu Dhabi via the inaugural flight from Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar. The premium Amrapali mangoes, cultivated in Patnagarh, Balangir, mark the state's maiden export to Abu Dhabi-ushering in a new chapter of international trade connectivity.

Balangir has emerged as a key Agri-export hub this year, leading the way not just in mangoes but also in dragon fruit and other high-value superfoods. The region's farmers have attracted both national and global buyers, becoming a focal point of Odisha's expanding agricultural footprint.

The mangoes were cultivated by Patnagarh Pragati Farmer Producer Company Limited (FPC) and are being exported with the support of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers' Empowerment (DA&FE), Government of Odisha, APEDA, Palladium (as the Technical Support Unit), and PRB Superfoods.

The mangoes were dispatched from Patnagarh in the esteemed presence of officials from the Patnagarh district administration, the Horticulture Department, representatives from Palladium, export partners, and members of the FPOs. With the active support and coordination of the district administration, the export process was carried out smoothly, and the consignment was subsequently routed through Bhubaneswar airport for international dispatch.

"Odisha's farmers are making their mark globally. With strategic support from DA&FE and dedicated partners like Palladium, our smallholders are stepping into international markets with confidence. This first export to Abu Dhabi is not just a milestone-it's a symbol of what's possible when government, grassroots and private partners come together,"said Hon'ble Chief Minister of Odisha.

To grace the export event, the Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, was present on the occasion. He remarked: "It is a proud moment for Patnagarh and the entire Balangir district that our mangoes, superfoods, and other agricultural products are now reaching global markets. This reflects the unwavering efforts of our farmers and highlights the immense agri-export potential of our region."

Adding further dignity to the occasion was the gracious presence of Chief Secretary Shri Manoj Ahuja, Development Commissioner Smt Anu Garg, Principal Secretary Smt. Usha Padhee, Housing and Urban Development Department. The officials commended the farmers, officials, and partners involved in making Odisha a rising name in global agri-markets.

London gets a taste of Balangir mangoes too

On the same day, 2.5 MT of mangoes from the same FPO were exported to London via NSCBI (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport) signaling rising demand for mangoes from Odisha's western belt and reinforcing the region's international appeal.

Strategic support behind the success

These exports are facilitated under the Promotion and Stabilization of Farmer Producer Organizations (PSFPO) Project, steered by the Assistant Director of Horticulture, Patnagarh, under the DA&FE Department. The project is implemented by Palladium, supported by the Gates Foundation, in collaboration with NABARD, and coordinated by APEDA as the export partner.

The comprehensive support ecosystem includes:

Identifying international market opportunities

Enabling export compliance and certifications

Streamlining post-harvest protocols and logistics

Building the export capacity of grassroots FPOs like Patnagarh Pragati

Empowering farmers with global access

Thanks to these export interventions, farmers are now earning at least 50% more than local market prices, owing to direct access to overseas buyers, improved product quality, and collective aggregation under FPO structures. This marks a shift in rural prosperity powered by export-led agriculture.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from FoodTechBiz.