Sumita Dawra, IAS, Special Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade Government of India has said that products promoted under One District One Product (ODOP) programme have potential to boost our local economy.
She was speaking as special guest during a programme on ‘Vibrant Nagaland’ yesterday at Hotel Vivor in Kohima which was organized by the Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT) along with the Department of Industries & Commerce, Nagaland.
She said that ODOP is a programme where thousands of products have been identified from various districts of the country.
The secretary added that each district of the country has something to offer and when these products are looked at for the market potential and income they can bring and boost the local economy.
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Dawra said some of the products have already reached the international market and the mandate of ODOP is to identify products that have the potential to reach larger markets both within India and outside and that is where there is a lot of potential in Nagaland as she knew from the pineapple and honey gifts she received from Nagaland with good packaging.
She said that Dubai is importing saffron, rice, and honey from India and they are also looking to procure more including fresh fruits. As Nagaland grows a lot of pineapples, kiwi, coffee, turmeric, ginger, and king chili will surely find bigger markets with the help of startups.
During the ongoing G20 in the country, more than 2 Cr 50 lakh worth of products were procured for gifting from the ODOP products of the country and lots of Indian embassies abroad are also organizing exhibitions of ODOP products. Some of the missions are also organizing tie-ups with local retail stores, she added.
Dawra also mentioned that the Unity Mall scheme announced in the budget 2024 whereby the marketing outlets are being set up for ODOP products, she requested the state government to take a look at the scheme as it would promote the sales and procurement of the products.
She pointed that the Government of India has also constituted departmental awards under ODOP for recognizing extraordinary work which has been done by the states.
Earlier Kekhrievor Kevichusa, Commissioner & Secretary, Industries & Commerce gave the welcome address, M Ben Yanthan, Director, Department of Agriculture, and Meyasashi, Director, Department of Horticulture also spoke at the programme, Md Ashraf Kamal, APEDA gave a PowerPoint presentation.
