Odisha farmers achieve first-time export of Fresh Apple Ber and Indian Gooseberry to Dubai
Bhubaneswar(By Abhishek Mohanty):
Farmers from Nabarangpur and Khorda districts have successfully undertaken the first-time export of fresh apple ber and Indian gooseberry (amla) from Odisha. A total of 1,050 kg of fresh apple ber, Indian gooseberry (amla) and other vegetables like long bottle gourd and jackfruit were exported from Odisha to Dubai. The consignment was dispatched via Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar, reflecting the steady progress of farmer-led institutions in accessing international markets.
The export was supported by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment (DA&FE), Government of Odisha, through the Promotion and Stabilization of Farmer Producer Organizations (PSFPO) project, implemented by Palladium. Within this institutional framework, Villa Mart Pvt. Ltd. facilitated the export by working closely with Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and farmers, linking them with overseas markets, with Palladium providing focused technical support to Villa Mart for execution of the process.
The Directorate of Horticulture, Government of Odisha, played a key role in facilitating the export by ensuring coordination, technical guidance, and field-level support, helping streamline processes from aggregation to final dispatch.
Indian gooseberry (amla) is globally valued for its rich vitamin C content and health benefits, while apple ber is appreciated for its nutrition, natural sweetness, and shelf life. Exporting these crops responds to growing global demand for healthy, natural produce and supports improved value realisation for farmers.
Inspector of PQMS Shri Kunja Bihari Mishra, who was present during the export process along with Debashish Martha, Assistant Horticulture Officer, said, “This export reflects the collective efforts of the Department, Farmer Producer Organisations, and market partners in strengthening Odisha’s agri-export ecosystem. Such initiatives not only enable farmers to access international markets but also lay the foundation for scaling up similar exports in the coming period, with a focus on quality, compliance, and farmer income enhancement.”
Officials from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, the Directorate of Horticulture, along with representatives from Villa Mart Pvt. Ltd. and Palladium, were present during the consignment dispatch, highlighting the collaborative effort behind the initiative.
