Maharashtra's Agrivartan FPO successfully exports twenty tonnes of premium bananas to Dubai.

Maharashtra farmers break new ground with first banana export to Dubai

In a significant boost to Maharashtra's agri-export momentum, Agrivartan Agro Farmers Producer Company Ltd., a Farmer Producer Company (FPC) from Indapur in Pune district, has successfully exported a 20-tonne consignment of bananas to Dubai.

The FPC, supported under the Hon. Balasaheb Thackeray Agribusiness and Rural Transformation (SMART) Project, executed the shipment in partnership with Pure Planet India Pvt. Ltd., with transaction facilitation and technical support provided by Palladium Consulting India Pvt. Ltd.

The successful execution of the export highlights the growing capability of farmer-led institutions to access and serve international markets. Both the buyer and the FPC worked in close coordination, while Palladium ensured seamless communication and process management throughout the transaction.

Building Market Linkages Under SMART

The success of this export reflects the structured market linkage ecosystem being developed under the SMART Project. Farmer Producer Companies often face challenges in accessing reliable buyers and navigating export procedures. Targeted support through the project has helped bridge these gaps by providing technical assistance and facilitating market connections.

"Palladium Group, through the Government of Maharashtra's SMART Project, has played a key role in enabling banana exports by supporting FPCs with market linkages, guidance, and technical assistance. With their support, Agrivartan FPC, Indapur (Tarangwadi), has prepared 100 acres of export-quality bananas this season, targeting at least 100 containers for export," said Khanderao Yashwant Sonawale, Director, Agrivartan Farmer's Producers Company, Tarangwadi, Indapur

Strengthening Farmer-Led Agribusiness

The successful dispatch of the consignment, along with full payment realization, marks an important milestone for the FPC and reflects the strengthening of farmer-led agribusiness models in the state.

The development also underscores the role of technical support agencies like Palladium Consulting India Pvt. Ltd. in enabling last-mile market access helping FPCs navigate buyer networks, comply with export requirements, and build sustainable market linkages.

As Maharashtra continues to focus on expanding agri-exports, such initiatives demonstrate how smallholder farmers, through collective enterprises and institutional support, are increasingly integrating into global value chains.