A real industry success story, shared for inspiration — not yet a Trade Union customer.
Maa Kalijai Self-Help Group, a women-led collective from Angul district in Odisha, faced the challenge of transforming from a community-based collective into an enterprise capable of meeting export market requirements. Despite their traditional focus on local markets, they aimed to tap into international demand for Amrapali mangoes, a variety known for its sweetness and aroma. The group lacked prior experience in export logistics, quality management, and international market linkages, which posed significant hurdles in meeting global standards and regulations.
The group participated in the Promotion and Stabilisation of Farmer Producer Organisations (PSFPO) project, supported by the Directorate of Horticulture under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment (DA&FE), Government of Odisha. This initiative provided them with the necessary training and resources to understand export procedures.
They received market linkage and export facilitation support from Palladium Consulting, which guided them through the complexities of international trade, including compliance with export regulations and quality standards.
The group implemented aggregation and quality management processes to ensure that the mangoes met the stringent requirements of international markets, focusing on aspects like size, color, and ripeness.
They established international market linkages, particularly with buyers in London, to facilitate the export process and ensure a steady demand for their produce.
The group coordinated with Mission Shakti and the Odisha Livelihoods Mission (OLM) to strengthen their institutional capacity and business capabilities, enabling them to handle the logistics and financial aspects of export.
They successfully exported 750 kg of Amrapali mangoes to London, marking a significant milestone in their journey from a local collective to an international exporter.
The successful export of 750 kg of Amrapali mangoes to London marked a significant milestone for Maa Kalijai Self-Help Group, demonstrating the potential of women-led collectives in engaging with international markets. This achievement not only enhanced the group's income but also showcased the growing role of rural women in India's agricultural export ecosystem. The initiative highlighted the effectiveness of government support and capacity-building programs in empowering grassroots institutions to participate in high-value agricultural trade. The export also contributed to Odisha's efforts in strengthening its horticultural export sector and promoting inclusive growth.
“"The export comes amid a strong mango season for Odisha. The state has already recorded approximately 90 metric tonnes of mango exports during the current season, supported through interventions of the Directorate of Horticulture and the PSFPO project."”
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