Odisha’s First Dragon Fruit Export to Dubai Flagged Off by Deputy CM KV Singhdeo

Bhubaneswar: In a significant milestone, Deputy Chief Minister KV Singhdeo flagged off Odisha’s first-ever export consignment of dragon fruit to Dubai from Biju Patnaik International Airport on Wednesday. The fruit, cultivated by Singhdeo himself in Patnagarh, marks a new chapter in the state’s agricultural exports.

This follows previous exports of mangoes from Dhenkanal and pointed gourds from Balangir. The consignment, weighing four quintals, was transported by Indigo Cargo.

Singhdeo highlighted that the decision made during the COVID-19 pandemic has now borne fruit. “The dragon fruit is grown organically, ensuring its nutrients remain intact, offering health benefits such as cancer prevention, diabetes management and relief from constipation,” he said.

Flagging off the inaugural export of dragon fruit from Odisha at Biju Patnaik International Airport marks a significant milestone in our state’s agricultural journey. I am proud to witness our farmers’ hard work and dedication reaching international markets, reinforcing Odisha’s… pic.twitter.com/797wbmgb2v

— Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo (Modiji Ka Parivar) (@KVSinghDeo1) September 4, 2024

Principal Secretary of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department Arabinda Padhee stressed the state government’s support for horticulture through incentives like farm ponds, irrigation systems and direct benefit transfers (DBT). “Horticulture is gaining importance due to increasing demand, providing farmers with higher returns in a shorter time with less investment,” he added.

Nikhil Pawan Kalyan, Director of Horticulture, and other senior officials from the department were also present at the event.