With determination and quality produce, women farmers from Odisha break the barriers to export mangoes to Italy, setting a powerful example of rural empowerment and agricultural excellence.

Bhuneshwar: In a remarkable stride, towards women-led agricultural entrepreneurship. Women farmers from Odisha, from the Dhenkanal district, have made international headlines by successfully exporting mangoes to Italy. Leading this breakthrough is Jyotirmayee Pradhan, whose journey from a local farm to global markets is just not about fruit; it's all about determination, empowerment, and redefining rural India’s potential.

A Fruitful Dream Takes Flight

Jyotirmayee Pradhan’s life revolved around her farmland. Like many other rural women in Odisha, she tirelessly works under the sun, nurturing mango trees with traditional techniques and deep-rooted care. For years, her fruit was sold locally, and the idea of exporting it seemed like a far fantasy. Jyotirmayee Pradhan is the board member of the Baladevju Women Farmers Producer Company Limited, a women-led Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) with over 1,000 shareholders.

“I never imagined something I grew would be sold in another country,” she says. “This is not just a fruit—it’s my identity.”

Odisha is known for its fertile soil and favorable climate, especially in regions like Dhenkanal, where mango farming has been a part of rural life for generations. Dhenkanal district, with 9.34 hectares under mango cultivation with varieties such as Amrapali, Lengada, and Keshari, holds significant export potential. These mangoes, known for their rich flavour and aroma.

Most women farmers use traditional methods, avoiding synthetic pesticides. Varieties like Keshari are region-specific and have export potential. Unlike commercial orchards, here women own, farm, and manage production, ensuring equitable income distribution.

Experts believe that Odisha could emerge as a boutique export hub, offering quality over quantity in the global fruit market.

Building the Foundation: The Role of Institutions

The leap from local to global was no accident. It required careful planning, certification, and training, supported by a network of institutions:

• With the support of HDFC Bank’s Parivartan, under the STREE (Social and Transformative Rural Economic Empowerment) program, played a pivotal role by offering financial literacy, export training, and post-harvest management support.
• APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) provided technical expertise, export certifications, and quality assurance guidance.
• According to a senior APEDA official, “This success is a result of coordinated action. We helped them meet EU regulations while preserving their organic methods.”
• The Odisha Department of Horticulture offered ground-level assistance, helping farmers adopt international standards in grading, ripening, and packaging.

A group of women farmers, from Dhenkanal, including Jyotirmayee Pradhan, prepared their produce for international markets. The mangoes were tested, packed, and finally shipped to Italy. Marking a first in their lives and a milestone in Odisha’s agricultural history.

Odisha’s Mango Legacy: A Hidden Gem

India is the world’s largest producer of mangoes, contributing nearly 50% of global production. However, in terms of exports, it trails behind countries like Mexico and Peru due to challenges in supply chains, certification, and compliance with international standards.

Odisha is slowly gaining recognition as a source of high-quality mangoes. States like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra dominate India's mango exports, and regions like Dhenkanal in Odisha emerge as underappreciated champions. The local varieties cultivated here are suited for export due to their natural sweetness, disease resistance, and climate adaptability.

“People often associate mango exports with bigger states,” says a local horticulturist. “But Odisha’s varieties are organic, climate-resilient, and perfect for export if given the right exposure.”

These mangoes are grown using organic and traditional farming methods. That appeals to the growing demands in Europe for chemical-free and ethically produced fruits.

Government and Institutional Support: Laying the Foundation

This export breakthrough was not a solo journey. It was made possible through collaboration between farmers, local representatives, and institutional support bodies like the Agriculture Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the Odisha Department of Horticulture.

“Our team helped these women meet European quality standards while preserving the authenticity of their produce,” said a senior horticulture officer involved in the project.

The result was a streamlined supply chain from rural orchards to international markets.

Empowering Women, Expanding Markets

This achievement is not just about mangoes, it's about empowerment. It shows what's possible when women in rural areas are given access to knowledge, support, and market linkages. These farmers not only upheld the quality standards required for export, but also ensured excellence could flourish in the most unexpected places.

Jyotirmayee says, “I never imagined something I grew would be sold in another country. I feel proud that the world is tasting our mangoes. This is not just a fruit—it’s my identity.”

The mangoes received positive feedback overseas, praised for their freshness, flavour, and organic quality. This has also opened up conversations about increasing India's footprint in global fruit markets, and especially through women-led initiatives.

“Indian mangoes have a huge fan base in Italy,” says an Italian importer. “The sweetness and aroma of these mangoes from Odisha is unmatched.”

The Faces Behind the Fruit: Stories of Odisha’s Mango Women

Padmini Sahoo: From Farmer to Exporter

Another key figure, Padmini Sahoo, helped steer BWFPCL’s fourth consignment to Italy in 2025. Standing beside a truck loaded with crates of mangoes, she smiled as she watched the fruits of their hard work set off.

Padmini emphasizes that the transformation goes beyond money. For the women in her village, it’s a matter of pride, dignity, and recognition.

Narayan Khatua: The Organiser

As the logistics coordinator at BWFPCL, Narayan Khatua ensured smooth operations from orchards to international terminals. She helped organize cold storage facilities, trained farmers in the use of digital tools, and oversaw the scheduling of shipments.

“This season, we decided to export in phases. Italy has responded well, and we want to build on that momentum,” she noted.

Thanks to her coordination, 25 quintals of Amrapali mangoes were successfully exported to Italy in the most recent shipment alone.

Sabitri Sahu: A Quiet Revolution

Sabitri Sahu, a smallholder mango farmer, was part of the group that received training in international quality standards. Initially hesitant, she now manages grading and packing operations herself. Her confidence grew when she saw photos of her mangoes displayed in shops in Venice.

“I didn’t go to school, but now I use a smartphone to monitor my produce’s journey,” she laughed. “My children are proud of me.”

Reception in Italy: A Golden Debut

Upon arrival in Italy, the mangoes were distributed through selected importers and organic food outlets. They were praised for their authentic flavour, freshness, and organic cultivation methods.

“Indian mangoes already have a loyal fan base in Italy,” said Marco Bellucci, an importer from Florence. “But these mangoes from Odisha are special—sweeter, more aromatic, and ethically grown. They tell a story.”

Italian consumers, increasingly health-conscious and sustainability-focused, responded positively on social media platforms, with many calling them the "finest tropical taste of the season.”

What’s Next? Scaling the Success

Encouraged by the positive response, the FPO is planning to:

• Expand to new markets: UAE, Germany, and the UK.
• Diversify produce: Explore exports of pineapples, jackfruit, and turmeric.
• Train more women in digital marketing, online sales, and e-commerce platforms like ONDC.
• Additionally, efforts are underway to secure Geographical Indication (GI) tags for certain local mango varieties, which could further boost their market value.

Transforming Lives, One Export at a Time

For the women of Dhenkanal, this is more than just a business win. It’s about recognition, pride, and new possibilities.

“Earlier, we worked hard but earned little,” says Basanti Nayak, another FPO member. “Now we have bank accounts, buyer connections, and our own identity as businesswomen.”

Their earnings have improved. Many have reinvested in better irrigation, organic inputs, or even education for their children. The success has sparked interest among young women in nearby villages, creating a ripple effect.

A New Chapter for Indian Agriculture

This success story is a microcosm of a larger transformation happening in India’s rural economy. With proper support, rural women are not just participants—they are leaders. The mangoes of Dhenkanal carry with them stories of resilience, cooperation, and a quiet revolution taking place across village orchards.

As global markets open their doors to Indian produce and as sustainable, woman-led ventures rise in prominence, stories like Jyotirmayee’s become guiding lights.

The journey of Jyotirmayee Pradhan and her fellow farmers from Dhenkanal is a radiant example of what happens when dedication meets opportunity. They may not have travelled far, but their work has. Their success reminds us that rural India holds incredible potential, and with the right support. Its farmers cannot only feed the nation but also impress the world.

As Odisha’s mangoes make their mark in Italy, they carry the hopes, labour, and pride of women who are quietly transforming the landscape of Indian agriculture as one sweet golden fruit at a time. 

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