The moringa grown in Odisha is particularly prized for its high potency of bioactive compounds due to the region’s unique agro-climatic conditions, which enhance its medicinal and nutritional properties. This makes it an ideal export commodity with significant demand in international markets.

Bhubaneswar, Odisha - 02.04.2025 - In a significant step towards strengthening Odisha's presence in global agricultural trade, the state has recorded its first-ever international export of drumstick (moringa) from Rayagada district, along with export of pointed gourd (parwal) to Dubai. The consignment, totalling 910 kg, was shipped via Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), Bhubaneswar, reflecting Odisha's expanding footprint in global agri-markets. Drumstick or Moringa, often referred to as a "superfood", is globally recognized for its exceptional nutritional value, being rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The moringa grown in Odisha is particularly prized for its high potency of bioactive compounds due to the region's unique agro-climatic conditions, which enhance its medicinal and nutritional properties. This makes it an ideal export commodity with significant demand in international markets.

The export was flagged off by dignitaries including Shri Sitakanta Mandal, Regional Director, East-region, APEDA, Shri Nimeshika Natarajan, Assistant Director, World Trade Centre and Shri S.K Talukdar, CGM, NABARD, Smt. Laxmipriya Dehury, ADH, Directorate of Horticulture, Odisha and Shri Biswajit Behera, Associate Director, Palladium signifying the government's commitment to strengthening agri-export infrastructure.

This milestone underscores the state's growing capabilities in fresh produce exports. Since the beginning of this financial year, Odisha has successfully exported over 52 metric tonnes (MT) of fresh fruits and vegetables, including mangoes, okra, bitter gourd, ivy gourd, long beans, green papaya, and dragon fruit, sourced from more than 20 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) across the state.

Through the Promotion and Stabilization of Farmer Producer Organizations (PSFPO) project under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' empowerment Government of Odisha, and supported by Gates Foundation, FPOs are provided with necessary handholding, and market-oriented training to accelerate their business growth supported by the Technical Support Unit managed by Palladium. The export was facilitated by PSFPO team, spearheaded by Swornajyoti Farmers Producer Company Ltd., an FPO from Rayagada, promoted by Harsha Trust and supported by NABARD.

Further, as the Technical Support unit under DA&FE, Palladium has been supporting the Government in working towards increasing the volume of Odisha's fresh produce exports by fostering strong partnerships and key engagements among ecosystem players, including the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the World Trade Centre (WTC), and leading exporters. These collaborations have enabled FPOs to access new markets, improve price realization for farmers by 40%-60%, and establish Odisha as an emerging agri-export hub.

"This export from Rayagada represents a major leap forward in our efforts to integrate Odisha's farmers and farmer producer organization with global supply chains," said Shri Sitakanta Mandal, Regional Director, East region, APEDA, "With the government's strong focus on building agri-export infrastructure and fostering market linkages, APEDA aims to significantly enhance farmers' incomes by boosting agri-exports through the state", Shri Mandal added.

To support and scale up agricultural exports, the Odisha government is prioritizing cold storage infrastructure and logistics enhancements. The state has launched a cold storage policy, offering up to 70% subsidy for entrepreneurs setting up climate-friendly, solar-powered cold storages and signed MoUs with private sector enterprises and exporters for value-chain development and export facilitation. These initiative aims to minimize post-harvest losses, maintain produce freshness, and ensure compliance with international quality standards.

As Odisha continues to strengthen its agricultural export ecosystem, more FPOs and smallholder farmers stand to benefit from premium market access.

Shri SK Talukdar, CGM, NABARD said, "The need to align farming with market demand is crucial to maximize farmers' income." He stressed the significance of selecting the right products for the right markets based on international demand and quality standards. He said that farmer producer organizations (FPOs), play a crucial role in this process by understanding market trends, quality parameters, and export requirements and NABARD has been working closely with FPOs in Odisha to boost agri-exports through FPOs.

"This milestone is not just about exports; it's about creating a sustainable and profitable model for farmers," said Smt. Debarati Ghatak, Private sector engagement specialist, Palladium. "By strengthening the export ecosystem through partnerships and collaborations, and investing in market-oriented quality production, value-addition and supply chain management through FPOs, Palladium is striving to ensure long-term growth for Odisha's agricultural sector", Smt. Ghatak added.

With the upcoming mango harvesting season, Palladium, under the PSFPO project and in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment, Odisha, Department of MSME, Odisha, APEDA, and the WTC Bhubaneswar, is focussed to scale up mango exports from the state. By providing comprehensive handholding and support to Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), with a focus on strengthening the export ecosystem, Palladium aims to expanding its outreach and enabling more FPOs to access high-value international markets.
With robust government support, private sector engagement, and increasing international demand for fresh produce, Odisha is well-positioned to become a major player in India's agricultural export landscape.