Odisha: Under the Promotion & Stabilization of Farmer Producer Organizations (PSFPO) Project, Palladium has achieved a significant milestone by supporting the Mahila Kisan Farmer Producer Company (MKFPCL) from Rayagada in exporting 9.5 quintals of Amrapalli mangoes from Odisha to London. This all-women farmer producer company is promoted by PRADAN under the Agricultural Production Cluster scheme of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment, Odisha. This export has led to a remarkable 40 percent increase in price realization for over 1,900 women farmers involved, Palladium said.
“We didn’t anticipate that mangoes from our FPO would reach global markets. Through this market linkage, we have learned that the demand for mangoes in international markets is high. By adopting best packaging practices, gaining access to storage infrastructure, and using quality packaging materials, we believe we can establish sustainable market linkages through export,” said, Gita Nimhala, Board of Director, MKFPCL, Bankili, Rayagada.
Speaking on the development, Biswajit Behera, Director of Palladium India, said, “By focusing on women-led FPOs, we are tapping into a transformative potential within the agriculture sector. By enabling these women farmers to access international markets, we are not only ensuring higher price realisations 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. This initiative is a testament to the power of inclusivity and empowerment in driving sustainable development.”
In another noteworthy achievement under the PSFPO project, Palladium successfully facilitated the export of 7.5 quintals of premium mango varieties, including Amrapali, Mallika, Chousa, Himsagar, Baiganpali and Latsundari. These mangoes were showcased at the Indian Mango Festival (Indian Hamba) in Doha, Qatar, from May 30 to June 8, 2024.
“Odisha, the eighth-largest mango-producing state in India, contributes over INR 21 billion to the national economy and account for 60 per cent of the state's fruit cultivation, is poised to make a significant impact globally,” Palladium informed.
Palladium, engaged as the technical support unit under the Directorate of Horticulture Odisha, in collaboration with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), is actively exploring new export avenues for fresh produce from the state. This initiative not only promises to boost farmers' incomes but also enhances their market reach, both domestically and globally.
Elaborating the objective of the project, Debarati Ghatak, Private Sector Engagement Specialist, PSFPO, said, “Palladium, under the PSFPO project, strives to provide holistic support to Odisha's FPOs. Key initiatives include organising field visits for exporters, sending mango samples to exporters, and coordinating with the FPOs after receiving indents from exporters. Palladium also educates, sensitises, and supports farmers on procuring, processing techniques, grading and sorting, packaging, and cargo shipment of mangoes, thereby ensuring adherence to international quality standards and proper post-harvest management practices to maintain the quality of produce. While PSFPO provides end-to-end support to facilitate the export of fresh produce from the state through FPOs, the ultimate goal is to guide the FPOs in these endeavours, ensuring they become familiar with the processes.”
“Through these comprehensive efforts, Palladium not only connects Odisha FPOs with highly remunerative international markets helping farmers achieve better prices through value addition at the farm level, but also promotes social inclusiveness by engaging women farmers and socio-economically marginalised farming communities, alongside private sector players,” Ghatak added.