Balangir, Sept 4: In a major achievement for Odisha in the trading sector, the state has exported its first stock -- around 4 quintals -- of dragon fruit to Dubai, Wednesday.
Dragon fruits are being exported from Patnagarh in Balangir district as Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo was present on the occasion.
He expressed his delight with a post in his social media account. "Flagging off the inaugural export of dragon fruit from Odisha at Biju Patnaik International Airport marks a significant milestone in our state's agricultural journey," he wrote in his post on 'X' (formerly Twitter).
Flagging off the inaugural export of dragon fruit from Odisha at Biju Patnaik International Airport marks a significant milestone in our state's agricultural journey. I am proud to witness our farmers' hard work and dedication reaching international markets, reinforcing Odisha's… pic.twitter.com/797wbmgb2v
— Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo (Modiji Ka Parivar) (@KVSinghDeo1) September 4, 2024
"I am proud to witness our farmers' hard work and dedication reaching international markets, reinforcing Odisha's potential in the global agribusiness arena. This is not just an achievement for our state but a testament to the resilience and vision of our people," he wrote further.
Notably, the dragon fruits are from the farming field of Singh Deo himself. Reacting to this achievement, he said that he is a proud farmer after having such a result.
KV Singh Deo said that he had started dragon fruit farming during Covid times. "I had started this farming during Covid times. Now, after around three years, the first stock has been exported to Dubai via airlines," said Singh Deo, who also holds the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment, Energy.
He also stated that the farming was completely organic. "Importantly, it is completely organic. I have started the farming in 2021 after finding out the details about the requirements and procedures of dragon fruit farming through internet," revealed the Agriculture Minister.
"We have produced 60 quintals of dragon fruit this year. Last year we had managed to keep the stock in the storage for close to three months," KV Singh Deo shared.
The Farmers' Welfare Minister also shared some health benifits of dragon fruit, saying that the fruit is very useful and beneficial for cancer and diabetis.
"Despite being a politician, I'm also a farmer. And framing gives me joy and happiness," stated KV Singh Deo. "I have also worked with a plow. Nowadays, we have advance technologies, developed equipments," said the Deputy CM.
"However, I suggest we should go for organic farming as it will keep our body and mind healthy," the Agriculture Minister concluded.
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