Bhubaneswar, Sep 4 (Reporter) Dragon fruit grown in Patnagarh, located in Odisha’s Balangir district, was exported for the first time from the state to Dubai on Wednesday. Odisha Deputy Chief Minister, K V Singh Deo, flagged off the export of dragon fruit at the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA). Official sources reported that approximately four quintals of dragon fruit were exported to Dubai via Indigo Cargo. Previously, mangoes from Dhenkanal and parwal (pointed gourd) from Balangir have also been exported abroad. Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo, who proudly identifies as a farmer, mentioned that the decision to cultivate dragon fruit was made during the COVID-19 pandemic, and today it has borne fruit. The dragon fruits are grown completely organically to ensure that their nutrients remain intact, allowing them to stay fresh longer compared to those produced with chemical fertilizers. "Dragon fruit is beneficial for health. Consuming it can help prevent problems like cancer, diabetes, and constipation," Singh Deo stated. He also emphasised that the Odisha government is focusing on horticulture and encouraging farmers to adopt this practice. Singh Deo highlighted that the state government provides various incentives for horticulture, including farm ponds, irrigation systems, and subsidies through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The Deputy Chief Minister noted that horticulture is gaining importance as demand increases day by day. Farmers are receiving higher returns with lower investment and within a shorter time frame. Principal Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment (DAFE), Dr. Arabinda Padhee, stated that the aim is to export high-quality agricultural products from Odisha to foreign countries on a larger scale in the coming days...////...