A new feather has been added to Odisha’s agriculture sector. From being an importer to becoming a vegetable exporter, the state has transformed remarkably. This time, farmers exported 100 kg of Colocasia and 320 kg of green papaya from Dhenkanal to distant Ireland via Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata. This achievement marks an Odisha farmers historic success, achieved under the strong leadership of the Directorate of Horticulture, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment, with support from the Gates Foundation and joint coordination by Palladium.
Dhenkanal’s ‘Saptasajya Agro Producer Company,’ which symbolizes the collective strength of small farmers, celebrates this milestone. The company continuously works to build a prosperous agricultural economy by offering fair prices to farmers and boosting demand for Odisha’s produce in global markets. By exporting high-quality Colocasia to Ireland for the first time, alongside green papaya, the producer organization adds another milestone to its journey. This export serves as a platform to showcase the dreams and efforts of Odisha farmers to the world.
Since 2024, farmers have exported more than 140 metric tons of fresh vegetables and fruits to 10 international markets under the leadership of the Agriculture Department and Palladium. This initiative has allowed farmers to earn an additional 40% to 62% value for their produce.
This export success provides fair prices to farmers, strengthens their self-reliance, and enables them to meet global market demands. Moreover, this achievement inspires other FPOs and farmers across the state, highlighting the growing potential of Odisha’s agriculture on the international stage.
