Odisha SHG Exports Amrapali Mangoes to London: Women-Led Agri Export Success Story
06 June 2026, Odisha: In a notable example of women-led agricultural entrepreneurship and rural economic transformation, Maa Kalijai Self-Help Group (SHG) from Odisha’s Angul district has successfully exported 7.5 quintals (750 kg) of Amrapali mangoes to London. The achievement highlights the growing role of rural women in India’s agricultural export ecosystem and demonstrates how grassroots institutions are increasingly connecting with international markets.
The export represents another milestone in Odisha’s efforts to strengthen its horticultural export sector while promoting inclusive growth. Traditionally, large-scale agricultural exports have been driven by Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), but the successful participation of a women-led SHG signals the emergence of new stakeholders in the global value chain.
The initiative was facilitated through 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. Palladium Consulting, the implementation partner for the project, provided market linkage and export facilitation support. Mission Shakti and the Odisha Livelihoods Mission (OLM) also played an important role in strengthening the SHG’s institutional capacity and business capabilities.
According to project officials, Palladium has been supporting Odisha’s agri-export ecosystem through farmer and producer awareness programmes, export sensitisation workshops, field demonstrations, exporter interactions, procurement facilitation, and coordination with farmer groups and FPOs. The organisation also provides technical guidance and handholding support aimed at strengthening producer institutions and expanding export opportunities for agricultural commodities from the state.
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.
What makes the Maa Kalijai SHG export particularly significant is the evolution of the group from a community-based collective into an enterprise capable of meeting export market requirements. By successfully participating in aggregation, quality management, and international market linkage processes, the SHG has demonstrated that small rural institutions can effectively engage in high-value agricultural trade.
The achievement also reflects a broader shift in the perception of Self-Help Groups. While SHGs have traditionally focused on savings, credit, and livelihood activities at the village level, increasing access to training, market intelligence, and institutional support is enabling many groups to participate in commercial agriculture and value-added supply chains.
Industry observers note that such initiatives can contribute to higher farm incomes, improved market access, and greater economic participation of women in rural areas. The export of Amrapali mangoes to the United Kingdom serves as a practical example of how targeted interventions and institutional convergence can help integrate smallholder communities into global agricultural markets.
Speaking on the achievement, Rupali Pradhan, a member of Maa Kalijai SHG said, “We started as a small group supporting our families and never imagined that our produce would reach international markets. Seeing our mangoes travel to London fills us with immense pride. This export is not only a milestone for our group but also a symbol of confidence, unity, and the belief that even small collectives can achieve big goals.”
Commenting on the development, Soumya Ranjan Sahoo, Agribusiness Expert at Palladium said, “The Maa Kalijai SHG export demonstrates how targeted capacity-building efforts, institutional convergence, and market linkages can unlock opportunities for grassroots producer groups. This milestone sets a strong example for inclusive agri-export development and women-led agricultural enterprises in Odisha.”
As India seeks to expand agricultural exports and create more inclusive value chains, the success of Maa Kalijai SHG highlights the growing potential of women-led rural enterprises to contribute to global agricultural trade while driving socio-economic development at the grassroots level.
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