Dhenkanal: In a heart-warming and inspiring success story from Odisha, women farmers from Dhenkanal district have achieved a ground-breaking milestone: exporting fresh strawberries to London, UK, for the very first time.
A pilot consignment of 52 kg of delicious, organically grown strawberries was successfully shipped to London. This marks a historic moment, as Londoners now get to savour the exotic taste of strawberries cultivated right in the soil of Dhenkanal—traditionally known for strawberry farming in colder regions like Himachal Pradesh.
A group of women farmers from the Bhuban and Gondia blocks came together to cultivate these strawberries on about two hectares of land. Using fully organic methods, drip irrigation, and a forested hillside environment at the foot of the hills, they produced high-quality fruits that met international export standards. Thanks to the state government’s Subhadra Yojana, which empowers women with financial assistance and promotes self-reliance, these women farmers have become self-employed and economically stronger.
The scheme, along with support from the Bhuban Block Administration and the Horticulture Department, inspired and enabled them to take this bold step. Many women in the region took bank loans as a trial and received crucial guidance from officials like Block Development Officer Ayushi Mohapatra.The export fetched the farmers nearly 50% higher prices than local markets, bringing them handsome incomes and smiles of joy. The farmers are thrilled and delighted with this achievement.
This success was made possible through collaborative efforts involving the District Horticulture Department, Palladium (under the PSFPO project supported by Gates Foundation), the District Administration, Saptasajya Agro Producer Company Limited (a Farmer Producer Organisation), and APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority), which helped secure export licenses and tie-ups.
District Collector Ashish Ishwar Patil praised the farmers’ initiative and commitment, noting that the district administration will provide all necessary support for expanding cultivation if international demand grows. “We have taken it as a pilot project and got success with the great initiatives of the farmers… If it gets success, we will try to increase the export… The district administration will help the farmers in all aspects,” said Ashish Ishwar Patil, Collector, Dhenkanal.
This export not only puts Odisha on the global map for premium horticulture but also showcases the power of women’s empowerment, government schemes and collective farming.
