From Umerkote to Dubai: Odisha vegetables go global, farmers earn triple returns

Fresh vegetables grown in Umerkote and Raighar areas of Odisha’s Nabarangpur district are now reaching Dubai, marking a major milestone for local farmers.

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Vegetables such as beans, pointed gourd, potatoes, garlic, and raw papaya are being exported, fetching farmers nearly three times the price compared to local markets.

For the first time, farmers from the Raighar region have exported vegetables overseas. In the initial phase, five farmers—four from Umerkote and one from Raighar—sent around 1,000 kilograms of vegetables to Bhubaneswar by road. From there, a private firm named Villamart arranged special packaging and airlifted the produce to Dubai.

Currently, vegetables like French beans, kunduru, baby potatoes, pointed gourd, garlic, and raw papaya are being exported. Farmers plan to expand exports to include cauliflower, tomato, chilli, okra, ridge gourd, bottle gourd, and cucumber. They aim to export vegetables twice a week in the coming days.

In Dubai, these vegetables are sold at Rs 300 to Rs 350 per kilogram, while air freight from Bhubaneswar costs about Rs 60 per kilogram, making the venture highly profitable.

While farmers receive government subsidy for exports from Bhubaneswar to Dubai, they have urged the State government to provide logistical support for transport from Umerkote to Bhubaneswar to further boost exports.

“Some local farmers, who had good vegetable production this season, came together and sent their produce to Dubai via Bhubaneswar with the help of a company. The farmers have earned nearly three times the profit. They have got the payments too,” Umerkote assistant horticulture officer, Dibyajyoti Swain, told OTV.

Reported By: Santosh Satpathy