Odisha Celebrates First Dragon Fruit Export to Dubai, Boosting Horticulture Sector

Giving a significant boost to Odisha’s horticulture sector, the state celebrated the inauguration of dragon fruit exports on Wednesday. Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo ceremonially flagged off the shipment of the exotic fruit at 8:30 am from the cargo terminal at Biju Patnaik International Airport.

Dragon fruit grown in Bhatnagar in Balangir district has gone to Dubai in a historic first for Odisha’s agricultural exports. The development is part of a wider government drive to improve horticultural practices and diversify exports.

Singh Deo, who proudly identifies himself as a farmer, attributed the achievement to strategic decisions taken during the Covid-19 pandemic. He highlighted that today’s export of 4 quintals of organically grown fruits demonstrates the state’s commitment to high quality chemical-free products that offer superior health benefits and longevity. The deputy chief emphasized that reducing the risks of cancer, diabetes and constipation are also health benefits of dragon fruit.

The Odisha government is actively promoting horticulture through various incentives like farm ponds, irrigation schemes, Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) to encourage farmers. This focus is aimed at meeting the growing demand and providing higher returns to farmers with less investment.

Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Farmers Empowerment (DAF) Dr. Arabinda Badi indicated that the government is planning to export high-quality agricultural products in large quantities in the near future.

Before the cargo departed, Singh Deo performed the traditional ceremony of breaking coconuts and officially flagged off the ship. Director Horticulture Nikhil Pawan Kalyan, senior officials of the department, representatives of APEDA, Palladium, Siddakanta Mandal, Biswajit Behra, Debharati Khattak, Arthak Darshan, Sreedham Panigrahi, Bibhuti and Bikash Pillai were present on the occasion.