India, Aug. 12 -- Odisha's agricultural export ambitions took another step forward this week, as 330 kilograms of premium dragon fruit from Balangir district reached Dubai-marking the second consecutive year the state's exotic produce has landed on international shelves. The shipment underscores the state's growing foothold in the global agri-horticulture trade, with rising demand translating into better prices for farmers.

The fruit, cultivated in Patnagarh, fetched Rs 300 per kilogram-up 20 per cent from last year's Rs 250-signaling both improved quality and a strengthening market for high-value horticulture crops.

The export initiative, coordinated by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers' Empowerment (DA&FE) under the Promotion an...