Farmer Producer Organizations from Balangir, Odisha – Reaching Global Markets

BHUBANESWAR (Odisha) (India CSR): The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Odisha, is promoting the cultivation of vegetables in a cluster-mode across the state. Palladium, as the Technical Support Unit under the Directorate of Horticulture, along with APEDA, ORMAS, and NABARD, has opened doors for Odisha’s farmers to global markets by enabling the export of fresh vegetable produce.

Farmers Export High-Quality Produce

Once known to be part of the remote KBK region, three Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) from the Titlagarh and Loisingha blocks of Balangir district—Jaden Farmer Producer Company, Krushak Unnayan Sangathan Farmer Producer Company, and Undher Farmer Producer Company—have exported 800 kilograms of high-quality fresh vegetables, including Pointed Gourd, Okra, Bitter Gourd, and Ivy Gourd, to Dubai.

“Today is a proud day for Balangir district, as fresh vegetables from this district are being exported to Dubai. This has been possible because of the handholding support and constant encouragement of the PSFPO team from Palladium. I would like to thank the local farmers, FPOs, local NGO, NABARD, ORMAS, and district horticultural officers, whose support and cooperation made this possible. I hope this initiative continues,” said Prafulla Kumar Bhanja, Deputy Director of Horticulture, Balangir.

Collaborative Efforts Yield Success

“It is for the first time that fresh vegetables from the district have reached the international market through export. I want to thank the local NGO ASSA, ORMAS, NABARD, District agriculture and horticulture officials, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, and special thanks to Palladium for providing end-to-end support under the PSFPO project for facilitating the export. As a result of this initiative, four FPOs in the district will now be able to supply fresh vegetables to Dubai for the upcoming 12 weeks,” said Kamalendu Paul, Joint CEO, ORMAS, Balangir.

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Financial Benefits for Farmers

“The export will benefit the members of the FPO as the farmers will get nearly 25% more than the farm gate price, and the FPO will also earn a profit of 25%, excluding transportation and other expenses borne by the exporter. NABARD, Odisha RO, as a pilot, has selected three Northern Odisha districts—Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Balasore—for the cultivation of three vegetables such as okra, bitter gourd, and long beans through NABARD-promoted FPOs for export to Dubai. Accordingly, a one-day sensitization workshop involving APEDA, the Directorate of Horticulture, NABARD, FPO members, and CBBO/POPI representatives of respective FPOs was conducted on 18 July 2024 at Baripada, Mayurbhanj district,” said Dr. Sudhanshu K. K. Mishra, Chief General Manager, NABARD.

Empowering Farmers Through Export

Palladium’s marketing and capacity-building support has opened global markets for these FPOs, enabling them to supply fresh vegetables to international markets year-round. This strategic export has helped three FPOs, including an all-women FPO, achieve a 30-40% increase in price realization, boosting income and economic stability for farming communities.

“By enabling smallholder farmers, including women farmers, to access international markets, we are not only ensuring higher price realizations but also setting the stage for a new revolution in agriculture. Women farmers, when given the right opportunities, can drive significant economic and social change. By focusing on women-led FPOs, Palladium wants to tap into the power of inclusivity and empowerment in driving sustainable development,” added Biswajit Behera, Associate Director, Palladium.

Future Prospects

Palladium will strive to increase the export of fruits and vegetables while adhering to export quality standards and will continue to transform the lives of smallholders, driving sustainable growth and prosperity for farmers in Odisha and beyond.

(India CSR)