Rayagada/Muniguda: Rayagada district, known for its tribal population, produces drumsticks (sajana chhuin) in abundance. The process of marketing this produce internationally has now begun, with 105 kilograms exported to Dubai in the first phase. With support from the State Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, the Swarnajyoti Producer Company Limited (FPO) in Muniguda block has sent the first export consignment.
Jayanti Sahu, a woman farmer from Durkulima village under Shivpadar Panchayat in Muniguda block, has planted around 30 drumstick trees in her backyard and had a good harvest this year. Earlier, she used to sell her produce in local markets and also send it to Brahmapur and Bhubaneswar.
However, this year, under the Value Chain Export (VCE) program in Nabarangpur, export facilitator Agrawal connected with Badal Kumar Bhatta, the director of Swarnajyoti FPO, to source drumsticks for Dubai. Jayanti was contacted, and 105 kg of drumsticks were collected and packed for international shipment.
As drumsticks are considered a “superfood” in Dubai, the demand there is high. After reaching Bhubaneswar from Muniguda, the produce was quality-checked, weighed in 3 kg bundles, packed in mesh bags, and exported following all international regulations.
Jayanti received Rs. 5 more per kilogram than the local market price. Mr. Bhatta stated that this initiative has opened the doors for exporting other products to international markets. Currently, drumsticks are sold in the Rayagada market at Rs. 15–20 per kg, while the FPO sold it at Rs. 30 per kg. Swarnajyoti FPO also supplies seasonal vegetables like tomatoes, eggplants, and others to various markets across the state, benefiting many local