Directorate of Horticulture, Government of Odisha supported by Palladium Signs 11 MoUs with Private Sector Companies to Enhance Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Exports at Krushi Odisha 2025

Bhubaneswar:7/1/25: In a groundbreaking move to advance Odisha’s position in agricultural exports, the Directorate of Horticulture, Government of Odisha in collaboration with Palladium Consulting India Pvt. Ltd., signed 11 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with private sector exporters at the prestigious Krushi Odisha 2025. The ceremony took place in the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Deputy Chief Minister Sri Kanak Vardhan Singhdeo, Principal Secretary (Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment) Sri Arabinda Padhee, Director of Agriculture Sri Prem Chand Chaudhury, Director of Horticulture Sri Nikhil Pavan Kalyan, and Director of Fisheries Sri Ramashish Hazra.

This milestone agreement aims to bolster the export and value addition of Odisha’s fresh fruits and vegetables, empowering local farmers with better market access, fair pricing, and global recognition. The MoUs mark a significant stride in Odisha’s journey to establish itself as a leader in agricultural and horticultural exports, aligning with the state’s strategic vision for sustainable growth.

With nearly 10,000 participants, including farmers, women-led self-help groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), exporters, students, and agri-entrepreneurs, Krushi Odisha 2025 serves as a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange and innovation. Featuring 13 technical sessions, farmer-scientist interactions, and over 200 stalls showcasing advanced technology and products, the event underscores Odisha’s commitment to transforming its agricultural sector.

The event spotlighted the launch of the Amala Utkala crop information booklet, developed by the Directorate of Horticulture with Palladium as the Technical Support Unit. This booklet offers a comprehensive overview of Odisha’s crops, detailing varieties, production statistics, and market linkages, empowering farmers with critical insights for informed decisions and export opportunities. The event also celebrated sustainable farming by felicitating progressive farmers, SHGs, and FPOs from all 30 districts of Odisha. Key sessions on ‘Developing Organic Commodity Value Chains: An Opportunity for FPOs,’ and ‘Promoting climate resilient Horticulture through ag-tech adoption and innovation’ organized by the Directorate and Palladium Consulting India, highlighted the adoption of climate-smart practices for sustainability, market-led organic production systems, emphasizing FPOs and women farmers. Experts shared valuable insights on supply chain efficiency, export potential, agri-entrepreneurship, and the role of ag-tech in the development of sustainable food systems.

Sri Nikhil Pavan Kalyan, IAS, Director of Horticulture, said, “Odisha is on a transformative path to position itself as a leader in agricultural exports. Our collaboration with exporters supported by Technical support Unit led by Palladium and the signing of these MoUs reflects our dedication to empowering farmers, enhancing value addition, and ensuring remunerative market access for our produce on a global scale.”

Mr. Biswajit Behera, Associate Director, Palladium Consulting India Pvt. Ltd., said,  “At Palladium, we are committed to creating sustainable value chains and enabling inclusive economic growth. Through these MoUs and our partnership with the Government of Odisha, we aim to unlock the state’s agricultural potential, provide farmers with global market opportunities, and strengthen Odisha’s position in the export ecosystem.”