The initiative convened policymakers, financial institutions, exporters, farmer producer organizations and supporting organizations to explore opportunities and solutions for strengthening India’s agri-export ecosystem. By equipping FPOs with expertise in export procedures, quality compliance, and market linkages, the workshop is set to enhance Odisha’s competitiveness in global markets for fruits, vegetables, and spices.

February 10, 2025 | Bhubaneswar, India - The three-day Export Pathshala workshop, aimed at enhancing agri and allied exports through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), successfully concluded. Organized by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in collaboration with Palladium Consulting India Private Limited (PCIPL), the workshop provided FPOs with critical insights and strategies to scale their businesses globally. The initiative convened policymakers, financial institutions, exporters, farmer producer organizations and supporting organizations to explore opportunities and solutions for strengthening India's agri-export ecosystem. By equipping FPOs with expertise in export procedures, quality compliance, and market linkages, the workshop is set to enhance Odisha's competitiveness in global markets for fruits, vegetables, and spices.

Addressing the inaugural session, Shri SK Talukdar, Chief General Manager, NABARD, underscored the significance of empowering FPOs with the right knowledge, infrastructure, and market access. He noted that capacity-building initiatives like Export Pathshala will enable smallholder farmers to directly connect with global buyers, ensuring better price realization and sustainable growth. Over the first two days, leading experts from NABARD, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the World Trade Centre, the Spices Board of India, Bank of Baroda, and panel of industry exporters provided practical training & had interactive discussions with participants on export documentation, compliance, and quality standards, post-harvest management and packaging for export readiness, value chain development for fruits, vegetables, and spices, and risk mitigation and export insurance for perishable goods. A field visit to PRB Super Foods in Khordha provided hands-on exposure to good packaging and logistics practices for large-scale agri-exports.

The final day featured knowledge-sharing sessions from successful FPO leaders across India. Md. Jabbar A Khan, CEO of Bhangar Vegetables Farmers' Producer Company Ltd. from West Bengal, shared his journey of scaling up an FPO into a globally competitive agri-enterprise. Sahyadri Farmers Producer Company Ltd., Nasik, Maharashtra, conducted a virtual session led by its Director, Shri Azhar Tambuwala, who highlighted best practices in handling, processing, and marketing fresh produce for export markets. Discussions also focused on export insurance for persihable items, led by Shri Satyanarayan Nanda, Senior Vice President, Unilight Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd., emphasizing the need for risk management mechanisms in perishable commodity supply chains like fruits and vegetables and ways to safeguard farmers against export uncertainties.

The workshop concluded with an interactive discussion where participants reflected on key learnings, challenges, and the way forward. NABARD and Palladium outlined a comprehensive action plan to strengthen India's agri-export ecosystem by fostering information exchange, identifying clusters for export-oriented production, leveraging export-support infrastructures, and strengthening supply chains through close collaboration with exporters. Shri Sitakanta Mandal, Regional Director (E.R.), APEDA, emphasized the significance of such initiatives, stating, "This is one of its kind workshop conducted for FPOs, focused on exports. I am sure the workshop will enable FPOs from Odisha to take up agricultural and horticultural exports to tap into remunerative markets. APEDA in collaboration with Government of Odisha, NABARD and Palladium would try its best to support these FPOs to scale new heights in global agri-trade."

Key insights from the workshop highlighted the importance of training in compliance, packaging, and logistics for exports, as well as the need for effective post-harvest management, value addition, and stronger market linkages. The requirement of timely financial assistance and insurance support was also discussed, with experts emphasizing that access to export credit and risk mitigation strategies can empower FPOs in building global market linkages. The workshop facilitated new partnerships between government bodies, financial institutions, and industry experts, setting the stage for a more robust and export-driven agricultural sector in Odisha.

"Empowering FPOs with the right knowledge and resources is key to unlocking India's agri-export potential. We organized the first-of-its-kind Export Pathshala to bridge the gap between farmers and global markets by providing practical insights into enhancing the export readiness of FPOs. Through such capacity-building initiatives, FPOs can build sustainable, market-driven agricultural enterprises. The success of this workshop reaffirms the importance of collaboration between FPOs, public-private institutions, and industry experts in strengthening Odisha's agri-export ecosystem," said Amit Patjoshi, CEO, Palladium.

"India has a great potential of exporting agricultural products and strengthening FPOs is crucial for enhancing this potential. That is why we have organized this Export Pathshala. By improving FPO infrastructure, we can equip farmers with the tools needed to compete in global markets. This workshop demonstrates the value of targeted capacity-building programs, and we see immense potential in replicating this model across other regions. By scaling up such initiatives, NABARD aims to create a nationwide network of export-ready FPOs, driving inclusive growth and positioning India as a strong player in the global agri-trade landscape," said Dr. SKK Mishra, Chief General Manager/Officer-In-Charge, NABARD, Bhubaneswar.

The Export Pathshala has set the stage for expanding India's agricultural footprint in international markets. By building capabilities, fostering collaborations, and ensuring market access, the initiative is poised to create a new generation of globally competitive farmer enterprises. With NABARD and Palladium leading the way, Odisha's FPO-driven agri-export model could serve as a blueprint for other regions, transforming the country into a major force in global agricultural trade.