Odisha farmers mark first-ever export of garlic, French beans to Dubai via Bhubaneswar airport

Farmers from Kalahandi and Nabarangpur districts have exported 1,000 kg of fresh agricultural produce to Dubai through Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar, marking a direct linkage between farmer collectives in the state and an international market.

The consignment included garlic and French beans, exported for the first time from Odisha, along with baby potatoes, ivy gourd, pointed gourd, and papaya. The produce was sourced from members of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), as per reports.

First-Ever Export Of Garlic And French Beans From Odisha

Notably, the shipment is the first instance of garlic and French beans from Odisha being exported through a structured mechanism. The produce was aggregated from FPO farmers in Kalahandi and Nabarangpur, with quality checks and traceability measures put in place to meet international requirements.

The export is being treated as a pilot aimed at opening sustained overseas market access for fresh produce from the state.

Role Of Horticulture Directorate And PSFPO Project

The export took place as the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment is drafting a new Agri Export Policy focused on global market integration and farmer income enhancement. Further, the consignment was dispatched from the Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar.

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Reports added that the Directorate of Horticulture facilitated the export by coordinating farmer participation and ensuring logistical support. The project is supported by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and backed by the Gates Foundation.