SHILLONG, Jan 23: The state government has plans to expand its list of products under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative which aims to identify and promote the unique indigenous products of different districts, informed Agriculture Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh on Tuesday.
Addressing an ODOP media event at the banquet hall of Hotel Pinewood, Lyngdoh said that the state is considering sending a proposal to DPIIT-ODOP team to include other secondary products such as Ryndia (Eri silk) from Ri-Bhoi district, black pottery (Khiew Ranei) from West Jaintia Hills and bamboo/cane handicrafts from East Khasi Hills.
She added that the state is working to ensure the successful implementation of ODOP, and towards building a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous state.
Talking about a range of initiatives intended to promote the indigenous products, she said the government is raising awareness on the ODOP programme so as to ensure quality standards for identified products, improving infrastructure for production and processing, GI tagging, creating unique brands, and facilitating various market linkages in both domestic and international markets.
She said that the mission-mode programmes have been initiated to overcome the value chain challenges of the ODOP products such as Mission Lakadong, Ginger Mission, and Mission Jackfruit.
It may be noted that Meghalaya has successfully established valuable global market connections such as export of the GI-tagged Khasi mandarin oranges to Middle East (UAE, Qatar and Bahrain).
She further cited the export of pineapple to Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and European markets as well as the GI-tagged Lakadong Turmeric to the Netherlands and Russia. Ampareen called the ODOP initiative a catalyst for economic growth, fostering entrepreneurship, and empowering local communities towards self-reliance. The ripple effect is not just economic as it extends to social and cultural dimensions, as people find new opportunities to showcase and celebrate their heritage, she added.
She also observed that the ODOP plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage.
Meanwhile, vice president of Invest India ODOP team, Dr Preet Deep Singh, also endorsed the idea of having a secondary product line for each district.
Singh underscored India’s dominance in turmeric, driven by a demand for high curcumin content. He also shared the central government’s ODOP initiative and celebrated the success story of Lakadong Turmeric.
Meghalaya celebrated local excellence at the ODOP Sampark event and honoured state awardees from the ODOP Sampark programme held in Mumbai.
It may be recalled that the state recently won the bronze award at the National ODOP Awards held at Bharat Mandapam on January 3 this year.
Padma Shri Trinity Saioo from West Jaintia Hills shared her journey of starting Lakadong turmeric cultivation with the support of the Spices Board of India. She now supplies the same to over 15 states in the country.
One among others to tell their stories was Perastil Sangma from South Garo Hills left his government job to start his own business venture with jackfruit. Today, he sells the value-added jackfruit products across various retail outlets across the state.
Meghalaya had also received the second runner-up award at the ODOP Awards 2023, organised by DPIIT at New Delhi recently.
This accolade recognises the state’s unwavering dedication to promote ODOP initiative and in fulfilling the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ through this initiative.
