Empowering Districts, Empowering India: The ODOP Revolution

Every district in India is celebrated for its own unique product – one that echoes its tale of local tradition, innovation and hard work. The One District One Product (ODOP) scheme endeavours to harness these stories for the nation’s progress. Thus, by identifying and promoting an exclusive product in each district, ODOP not only promotes artisanal skills, it also sparks economic growth and creates employment opportunities in the country. It also showcases India's local heritage to the world.

The roots of ODOP: Tradition meets innovation

For centuries, Indian villages have prospered through artisanal skills such as pottery, carpentry and blacksmithing. The ODOP scheme in India is inspired by Japan's One Village One Product model, which was introduced in 1979. The scheme uses the cultural and natural diversity of every Indian district to promote products ranging from perishable agricultural goods to timeless handicrafts.

Understanding ODOP: What it is and how it works

What is ODOP?

ODOP is a central government programme, which was initiated by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries on January 24, 2018. The success of the ODOP initiative in Uttar Pradesh inspired the central government to grow it from a state-specific programme to a nationwide initiative. The concept, although simple, is powerful, focussing on selecting one product from each district considered to embody the local culture and capabilities therein. The chosen products then become the centrepiece for development through improved production techniques, value-chain integration and rigorous marketing.

How does ODOP work?

• Product selection:
  • States and districts conduct baseline studies to identify a product that best represents local resources and tradition.
  • The chosen product can be perishable agricultural produce (e.g., mango, tomato, litchi), cereal-based items or even innovative waste-to-wealth products such as herbal edibles.
• Value chain development:
  • Procurement and production: Common inputs are procured at scale, ensuring cost-efficiency and quality.
  • Processing and packaging: Technical support and training enhance product quality, while standardised packaging builds a trusted brand image.
  • Marketing and branding: ODOP brands—such as Dilli Bakes, Makhana King, Pind Se and more—are developed to ensure these products stand out in both domestic and international markets.
• Financial and institutional support:
  • Credit-linked subsidies and grants: Subsidies cover up to 35% of project costs (with ceilings and contributions outlined), while seed capital and grants support working capital and tool purchases.
  • Infrastructure support: Shared facilities for sorting, grading, storage and processing streamline the entire value chain.
  • Training programmes: Extensive training is provided on entrepreneurship, quality control, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) standards and marketing—all tailored to ensure that both traditional techniques and modern practices thrive.

Advantages and benefits: Why ODOP is a game changer

For local micro-enterprises and artisans:

• Empowerment and formalisation: Access to structured support helps small businesses become competitive on a national and global scale.
• Job creation: The initiative drives skilled and semi-skilled job opportunities, particularly in rural areas.
• Enhanced market access: Improved branding and marketing efforts create new markets and export opportunities.

For districts and regions:

• Capital investment and financial support: Existing enterprises producing ODOP products get priority, with significant subsidies and grants to boost growth.
• Comprehensive support services: From procurement to packaging and marketing, the entire infrastructure is aligned to support the selected product.
• Balanced regional growth: ODOP addresses regional disparities by ensuring every district gets its chance to shine and develop economically.

ODOP across sectors: Food, handicrafts and beyond

ODOP is not limited to a single sector. It spans diverse fields, each with its own unique offerings:

• Food sector
  • Agricultural produce: Districts select products such as mango, potato, litchi, tomato, tapioca and more based on local agro-climatic strengths.
  • Innovative and traditional foods: Items such as waste-to-wealth products, traditional herbal edibles such as amla (Indian gooseberry) and haldi (turmeric), and niche snacks such as makhana (foxnut) find dedicated support.
  • Brand success stories:
    • Madhurmithas: A brand promoting chemical-free, naturally sweet jaggery powder from Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh.
    • Anaras: A dried spicy pineapple from Ri Bhoi, Meghalaya, known for its unique flavour and vitamin C content.
    • Pind Se: A mango pickle capturing the “Ghar ka bana aam ka achaar” or “homemade mango pickle” essence of Amritsar, Punjab.
• Artisanal and handicraft sector
  • Preserving traditional crafts: From handloom products to unique handicrafts, ODOP supports GI-tagged products that keep traditional skills alive.
  • Complementary government schemes: Initiatives such as the National Handicraft Development Programme and Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme work in tandem with ODOP to provide design, technology and market access improvements.
• Emerging trends and niche products
  • Rare and unique agricultural products:
    • Examples include makhana (foxnut) from Bihar, black rice from Assam and Chhattisgarh, and rare mango varieties from Bhagalpur, Bihar.
  • Processed food trends:
    • Some districts are exploring new product avenues such as smoked meat delicacies, innovative herbal extracts and organic fruit-based products.
  • High-value forest and herbal products:
    • Items such as mahua-based beverages, minor forest produce and mentha-based essential oils are being developed for both local use and international export.
  • Niche spice and beverage products:
    • High-value spices such as large cardamom and specialty coffee are also part of the ODOP portfolio.

Institutional framework and government initiatives

ODOP is part of a broader ecosystem of support that includes several government schemes:

• Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana & Mega Cluster Scheme: Focuses on technology and infrastructure to help artisans scale up production.
• Marketing support and research initiatives: Government-led efforts ensure products receive the necessary market study, quality control and consumer awareness.
• Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme: Under the PMFME Scheme, ODOP provides a framework for value chain development. With an outlay of Rs. 10,000 crore (US$ 1.17 billion) over five years, the scheme supports thousands of micro food-processing units across India.
• State-specific investments: States such as Rajasthan plan to invest significant funds. For e.g., Rs. 100 crore (US$ 11.7 million) annually to bolster local industries and integrate them into the export ecosystem.

Global outreach and the road ahead

ODOP is not just a domestic initiative, it also has international dimensions. One Station One Product (OSOP), a railway-based extension of ODOP, brings local products to millions of daily commuters, further expanding market reach. International showcases such as the ODOP Wall, which was inaugurated by Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Mr. Piyush Goyal at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, highlights how local products can achieve global recognition. Engagements with international trade bodies and events also facilitate new export opportunities. Furthermore, initiatives like these, along with visits abroad by Mr. Piyush Goyal, help strengthen bilateral ties by building stronger economic and cultural bridges between India and other nations.

Measuring impact: Numbers that tell the story

ODOP’s growth is tracked through applications and project implementations:

• Applications over the years:
  • 2020-21 saw 1,062 applications, scaling up to over 16,000 in 2023-24, reflecting the initiative’s growing impact.
• Micro food processing units:
  • More than 18,872 micro units have benefited from credit-linked subsidies, and 76 ODOP-based incubation centres have been approved.
• ODOP brands launched:
  • A series of brands under the initiative have been launched, covering a wide array of products from sweeteners and pickles to herbal extracts and artisanal foods.

Conclusion: A unified vision for a self-reliant India

The ODOP initiative is a transformative journey—a movement that turns local strengths into national success stories. Focusing on one single product in a district, ODOP offers assistance to enhance the quality of each product and strengthen the ‘Made in India’ brand both in India and abroad.

From empowering and modernising the traditional practices of craftsmen to making ways for sustainable economic growth and internationalisation, ODOP is the framework of an inclusive self-reliant India. Under the country’s visionary leadership and full-throttle support from its various government schemes, each district will have the opportunity to fully celebrate its uniqueness, innovation and cultural pride.