Odisha Govt. Advances Mango Value Chain in Patnagarh under PSFPO to Empower Farmers and Boost Exports

Balangir:19/5/25: Patnagarh, Balangir District, Odisha—In a concerted effort to boost the horticulture sector and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for mango growers, a strategic meeting and training program were successfully held at the Office of the Assistant Director of Horticulture (ADH), Patnagarh, Balangir. The event was organized under the Promotion and Stabilization of Farmer Producer Organizations (PSFPO) project, an initiative of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment (DA&FE), Government of Odisha, and supported by the Gates Foundation.

The Promotion and Stabilization of Farmer Producer Organizations (PSFPO) project, led by Palladium India, spearheaded the training activities with active involvement from FPOs, CBBOs, mango farmers, and horticulture officials. The session focused on strengthening marketing approaches, advancing post-harvest management practices, and exploring export opportunities for mangoes—especially the premium Amrapali variety widely cultivated in the Balangir district.

Objectives and Outcomes of the Workshop

The workshop aimed to build the technical capacity of mango growers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and Cluster-Based Business Organizations (CBBOs) on scientific post-harvest management (PHM) practices. The key focus was reducing post-harvest losses, maintaining fruit quality, and enhancing access to domestic and export markets, particularly for the Amrapali variety widely cultivated in the region.

As a result, participants were equipped with practical knowledge on sorting, grading, ripening, hygienic packaging, and storage. They also developed a clearer understanding of market requirements and export readiness. The training strengthened their ability to access government assistance under the PHM scheme, including support for crates, cold chain logistics, and transit. By encouraging the adoption of improved practices and better market linkages, the workshop is expected to empower farmers to secure fair prices, reduce dependence on intermediaries, and contribute towards establishing Balangir as a potential mango export hub.

Balangir Emerges as a Promising Mango Export Hub: Stakeholders Unite to Strengthen Market Linkages

The day began with a strategic meeting involving farmers, government officials, and market experts. The discussion centered around current marketing challenges and identified new opportunities for collaboration, market access, and export. The collective insights helped map a way forward to strengthen the mango value chain in the region.

Technical classroom training sessions on post-harvest management (PHM) techniques, including sorting, grading, ripening, storage, hygienic packaging, and export readiness for FPOs, CBBOs, and lead mango growers were conducted by experts from Palladium. Special attention was given to the PHM Scheme Application process, guiding FPOs on how to access government support for crates, transit assistance, and cold chain logistics.

Later in the day, a hands-on field demonstration was held in five selected mango orchards. Experts demonstrated each step of the post-harvest process—from plucking to packaging—emphasizing how to maintain fruit quality and reduce losses.

As part of a broader market mapping initiative, the Palladium team also conducted a preliminary survey of mango orchards in Patnagarh. The findings revealed a strong presence of export-quality Amrapali mangoes, positioning Balangir as a potential export cluster—provided that PHM practices and market linkages are effectively implemented.

Government and Palladium Driving Change Together

The Government of Odisha is strengthening market linkages for horticultural produce by supporting FPOs through PHM schemes. Palladium Consulting provides technical support, capacity building, and market facilitation to help FPOs meet quality and export standards.

Key Contributors and Ground-Level Impact

The District Horticulture Officer, Patnagarh played a pivotal role in mobilizing farmers and coordinating local efforts. Palladium-led technical training and capacity building, while FPOs and CBBOs implemented PHM practices and built market linkages. At the heart of the initiative are the mango growers, who are now adopting improved practices to boost quality, reduce losses, and access better markets.

“Today successful training programme on post-harvest handling of mango for export was conducted at the office of the Asst. Director of Horticulture, Patnagarh. The region has over 1500 hectares under mango cultivation, with commercial varieties like Dasheri, Langra, and Amrapali. Typically, outside vendors lease orchards early, depriving farmers of fair prices, despite the fruit being export-quality. To address this, a training session was organized in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture and Palladium, involving active local FPCs. The focus was on best practices from plucking to packing to meet export standards, followed by a practical demonstration. The programme was well-received. Department officers and Palladium representatives also visited nearby orchards to assess the export potential of the produce”, said, Addl. Director Horticulture, Patnagarh.

This initiative marks a significant milestone in the journey towards agriculture transformation and farmer empowerment in Odisha. With targeted training, government schemes, and strategic partnerships, Balangir’s mango growers are poised to tap into national and global markets, thereby enhancing incomes and rural prosperity.