After Italy and London, Odisha’s Amrapali mangoes find new home in Dubai

A shipment of 1.35 tonnes of Amrapali mangoes from Odisha’s Dhenkanal has been successfully exported to Dubai, marking a significant achievement for local farmers in the international market. 

These mangoes, well-known for their rich flavour and vibrant colour, were cultivated by the tribal women of the Juang community from the regions of Saptasajya and Bhuarnali.

Rising Export Demand of Amrapali Mangoes

Following successful exports to Italy and London, the Amrapali mangoes are set to captivate the taste buds of Dubai's residents. 

The Saptasajya Agro Producer Group spearheaded this export, with support from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the State Government's Palladium initiative, and the District Horticulture Department.

“This week alone, we have exported over 1.7 tonnes of mangoes to Dubai. As Amrapali mangoes are in high demand, we have exported those mangoes to Dubai. Interestingly, all the work is done by tribal women here with the help of the state government,” informed Sudipta Ranjan Biswal, Director of Saptasajya Agro Producer Group.

Empowering Tribal Women:

The entire packaging process, from boxing to numbering, is managed by the local tribal women who underwent extensive training provided by APEDA and Palladium. This empowerment has led to a notable increase in their earnings, reinforcing the socio-economic status of their communities.

Local Farmers Rejoice:

Farmers from Dhenkanal have expressed satisfaction with the uplift in income. Experts hope that this success story will inspire more farmers in the district to cultivate mangoes, thereby strengthening the region's agricultural framework.

“This opportunity has given us a source of income. We are able to lend a helping hand to our husbands with the little money we make. Everything here is done by us. We are grateful to the state government for the initiative,” stated Abala Pradhan, a tribal woman.

Dhenkanal’s Mango Yield:

Over 7,000 metric tonnes of mangoes have been produced in Odisha's Dhenkanal district this year. Particularly noteworthy is the Sapteshwar area within the Dhenkanal Sadar block, where numerous farmers have successfully harvested more than 20 tonnes of sweet varieties, including Amrapali and Dasheri mangoes.

Expanding Horizons: Europe on the Radar

Looking forward, the district anticipates rolling out exports to more parts of Europe, apart from Italy and London. 

This year, while continuing exports to Dubai, there are also plans afoot to send these beloved Indian mangoes to Rome and other parts of the UK, Europe, Australia and other countries, said experts.