One District, One Product Regional Summit

Context: The One District, One Product Regional Summit was held recently in Varanasi.

About ODOP:

• ODOP is aimed at giving a major push to traditional industries synonymous with the respective districts of the state.
• The objective of the ODOP is to optimise production, productivity and income, preservation and development of local crafts, promotion of art, improvement in product quality and skill development.

Background:

ODOP is basically a Japanese business development concept, which gained prominence in 1979. It is aimed at promoting a competitive and staple product from a specific area to push sales and improve the standard of living of the local population. Over time, it has been replicated in other Asian countries as well.

The main objectives of the One District One Product Scheme of Uttar Pradesh are as follows:

• Preservation and development of local crafts / skills and promotion of the art.
• Increase in the incomes and local employment (resulting in decline in migration for employment).
• Improvement in product quality and skill development.
• Transforming the products in an artistic way (through packaging, branding).
• To connect the production with tourism (Live demo and sales outlet – gifts and souvenir).
• To resolve the issues of economic difference and regional imbalance.
• To take the concept of ODOP to national and international level after successful implementation at State level.

Facts for Prelims:

UP is uniquely famous for product-specific traditional industrial hubs across 75 districts, including Varanasi (Banarasi silk sari), Bhadohi (carpet), Lucknow (chikan), Kanpur (leather goods), Agra (leather footwear), Aligarh (locks), Moradabad (brassware), Meerut (sports goods) and Saharanpur (wooden products).

Sources: the hindu.