Exhibitions play a vital role in promoting rural products and improving the livelihoods of rural entrepreneurs. In Odisha, the Panchayati Raj department, through the support of ORMAS, has been organizing exhibitions under the banner "Pallishree" for over 25 years. These exhibitions not only create awareness about rural products but also help rural producers connect with urban markets. The SARAS program, organized by ORMAS for the past 17 years, further enhances these efforts by providing a national platform for rural producers to showcase their products. Additionally, support to producers’ collectives and artisans is extended through fairs organized at the state, district, and block levels, as well as participation in exhibitions inside and outside the state. These initiatives enable rural producers to sell their products directly, interact with buyers, and improve their marketing skills, ultimately benefiting both producers and consumers.

In the Financial year 2023- 2024 a total of 31 (Thirty -One) numbers of exhibitions were organized by ORMAS including Mega Exhibition (SISIR SARAS), Big Exhibitions and mini Pallishree Mela. A total of 20 nos. of (Twenty) exhibitions have been organized by MoRD in different states of India namely Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Haryana, Jamu & Kashmir, Kerela, Karnataka, MoRD- NCR, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal etc. Total Sales made through Exhibition is Rs. 1,12,64,63,773/- (Hundred Twelve Crore Sixty -Four Lakhs Sixty -Three Lakhs Seven Hundred Seventy- Three) Only.

Rakhi and Terracotta Outlet:

ORMAS has provided marketing support to PG members who are making handmade Diyas & Sweets by installing temporary kiosks/outlets in 15(Fifteen) Districts namely Angul, Balangir, Balasore, Baragarh, Boudh, Cuttack, Ganjam, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Jharsuguda, Kedrapada, Nabarangpur, Sambalpur, Subarnapur, & Sundergarh. Total Sales of 17.61 Lakhs was made in Terracotta activity. This activity was done at the time of Deepavali. For Rakhi temporary outlets were installed in 13 (Thirteen)districts namely Balasore, Balangir, Cuttack, Ganjam, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Keonjhar, Rayagada, Sambalpur, Sundergarh, Khordha, & Mayurbhanj before Rakshya Bandhan Festival with the support of District Administration. The sales of Rs. 10.65 Lakhs was made.

State Level Mango Retail Activity-2023-2024 (Gaon Amba Pasara)

In the capital of Odisha (Bhubaneswar), since last Five (5) years, temporary mango outlets are done in the prominent locations of the city especially outside the SIRD campus. The mango producing farmers groups from potential districts are invited to participate in the retail activity at Bhubaneswar. In Financial Year 2023-2024 ORMAS has organized State-level Mengo Mela for 6 (Six) days (8th to 13th June 2023) in front of the SIRD Campus. A total 9 (Nine) numbers of Producer Companies have participated from different districts of Odisha. During this event total 21 mts of mangos amounting to Rs. 12.74 lakhs were sold. Major varieties mango like Amrapalli, Bainganapallei, Mallika, Desheri, Lengada, Sunderi etc. were sold. Details are given Below:

District Level Mango Retail Activity April 2023 -March 2024 (Gaon Amba Pasara)

“Gaon Amba Pasara”, a Mango Retail Activity for marketing of seasonal mangoes has been organized annually between May to June at District level. In the Financial Year 2023 -2024 Mango Mela has also been organized in districts such as Angul, Balangir, Bargarh, Boudh, Gajpati, Koraput, Kalahandi, Keonjhar, Kandhamal, Mayurbhanj, Raygada, Nuapada, Sambalpur and in Sundergarh (14 Locations). The entire event organized for 4 to 6 days by setting up 5 to 10 temporary retail and allotted to Mango farmers facilitated by ORMAS. The different varieties of mangoes were displayed in the stalls such as Mallika, Baiganpalli, Amrapalli, Imam Pasand, Langra, Sundari, Gulab Khas, Bombay Green, Himsagar, Godavari, Hathimundo, Totapuri and other local varieties. Through this district level mango mela, a total quantity of 339.119 MTs of Mangoes are sold for Rs. 130.332 Lakhs.

Mango Supplied to Mother Dairy.

ORMAS played a pivotal role in facilitating the marketing of mangoes by establishing corporate tie-ups, particularly with Mother Dairy, a significant collaborator since 2015. This collaboration aimed to address the historical issue of farmers receiving inadequate compensation due to intermediary practices. In 2023, ORMAS successfully supplied mangoes from various districts to Mother Dairy - SAFAL. Districts such as Angul, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi, Keonjhar, Rayagada, and Sambalpur contributed a total of 54.145 metric tons of mangoes, generating revenue of Rs. 38.15 lakhs.

Bulk sales:

Bulk sales of mangoes by ORMAS to local traders and buyers are vital for the economic development of rural areas, providing income to farmers, promoting sustainable agriculture, and supporting local economies as well as help in reducing post-harvest losses by ensuring that a larger quantity of mangoes is sold quickly, minimizing the risk of spoilage. Selling in bulk allows farmers to negotiate better prices for their produce, ensuring a more stable income throughout the season. By selling in bulk to local traders and buyers, ORMAS enables farmers to access markets that they may not be able to reach on their own. This helps in expanding their customer base and increasing sales opportunities. In the financial year 2023-2024, districts such as Sundergarh, Rayagada, and Angul collectively sold 630.275 metric tons of mangoes in bulk to local buyers and traders, generating a business revenue of Rs. 1,36,52,440 (One crore thirty-six lakhs fifty-two thousand four hundred forty rupees only).

Mandi Sales:

Mandi serves as important marketplaces where producers can directly sell their produce to traders and retailers. This direct access eliminates intermediaries and ensures fair prices for producers. For producers, mandi sales of mangoes represent a significant source of income, especially in areas where mango cultivation is a major economic activity. Selling mangoes in different mandis allows producers to tap into diverse markets, reaching consumers in various regions and increasing the demand for their products. Mandis often has quality control measures in place, ensuring that only high-quality mangoes reach the market. Through mandi sales, producers can expand their market reach beyond local areas, potentially leading to increased sales and profitability which contribute to the overall economic growth of mango producing districts of Odisha by boosting agricultural income. In the financial year 2023-2024, ORMAS supplied 162.5 metric tons of mangoes from districts like Balangir and Mayurbhanj to different mandis, generating a total business revenue of Rs. 5,514,476/- (Five lakh fifty-four thousand four hundred seventy-six rupees only). The Details are given below.

Packaging Training

Packaging plays a crucial role in the marketing and preservation of rural-based products. It involves designing containers and materials that protect products during storage, transportation, and sale while also conveying important information to consumers. For rural-based products, packaging is essential for several reasons:

• Preservation: Proper packaging helps maintain the quality, freshness, and shelf life of perishable rural products like fruits, vegetables, and dairy items.
• Transportation: Packaging provides protection during transportation, ensuring products reach the market in good condition even over long distances.
• Marketability: Well-designed packaging enhances the visual appeal of rural products, making them more attractive to buyers and boosting sales.
• Information: Packaging includes labels and other informative materials that convey product details, certifications, and special characteristics, building consumer trust.
• Differentiation: Packaging helps rural products stand out from competitors, highlighting their unique qualities, traditional methods, or organic nature.

In addition to these benefits, sustainable packaging practices can also reduce waste and align with environmentally friendly practices, further enhancing the appeal of rural-based products to consumers.

IIP, Mumbai, an autonomous body under the aegis of the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, is renowned for its expertise in product packaging development on an international scale. ORMAS has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIP-Mumbai to receive technical consultancy for the packaging development of products made by rural entrepreneurs, producers, and artisans which is crucial for packaging development of rural products. ORMAS in collaboration with IIP Mumbai has provided training to ORMAS Officials, CEO-PC, BMs and active PG members of different districts in five (5) locations of Odisha.

Other Marketing and Packaging Workshop

The marketing and packaging workshops organized by ORMAS in various districts serve several important purposes like Skill Development, Market Access, Product Differentiation, Quality Improvement, Information Dissemination, Income Generation and Sustainability. Overall, these workshops play a crucial role in empowering rural communities, improving market access, and promoting sustainable practices in packaging and marketing. Total Twelve (12) numbers of Marketing and Packaging workshops have been organized in different districts of Odisha.