Odisha farmers export 1,000 kg of fresh produce to Dubai
Odisha farmers export fresh produce to Dubai.
Farmers from Odisha’s Kalahandi and Nabarangpur districts have exported 1,000 kg of fresh produce to Dubai via Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar.
The consignment included garlic and French beans exported for the first time from Odisha, along with baby potatoes, ivy gourd, pointed gourd, and papaya, sourced from FPO farmers.
A media statement said that the Directorate of Horticulture played a pivotal role in facilitating this export to ensure coordination and support for farmer participation.
This achievement was enabled through the Promotion and Stabilisation of Farmer-Producer Organisations (PSFPO) project, implemented by Palladium under Department of Agriculture and Farmer’s Empowerment with support from APEDA and backing from the Gates Foundation.
Success factor
Through this effort, agri-business startup Villa Mart Pvt Ltd was empowered to connect farmer-led institutions with international markets, creating a new pathway for global agri exports from Odisha.
The statement said that an essential success factor was the comprehensive incubation support provided to Villa Mart by Palladium under PSFPO, including assistance in sourcing produce from farmers and navigating licensing, certification, and regulatory compliance requirements for international trade. Palladium facilitated the entire process from documentation to certification ensuring smooth execution.
Quoting Soumya Ranjan Sahoo, Agri Business Expert, Palladium Consulting India Pvt Ltd, the statement said: “This initiative reflects our commitment to strengthening farmer livelihoods through innovative market strategies. By enabling global exports and fostering structured engagement with private entities, we are creating sustainable income opportunities for farmers while positioning Odisha as a competitive player in international agri markets.”
Ramesh Chandra Biswal, Founder and CEO of Villa Mart, said Villa Mart focused on local market linkages until now, but this pilot export to Dubai marks a significant shift toward global markets.
“Unlike our earlier operations, this required meeting international compliance standards, and Palladium provided incubation and documentation support to make it possible. We also appreciate the support and guidance from WTC and APEDA in export facilitation. This collaboration opens new opportunities for Odisha’s farmers to access global markets,” Biswal said.
Published on December 25, 2025
