Amit Shah launches ‘One District, One Cuisine’, Yogi Adityanath hails UP’s culinary heritage

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Saturday launched the One District, One Cuisine ( ODOC ) initiative in Uttar Pradesh, a new programme designed to give each district a distinct identity through its traditional food and beverage specialties . The scheme was unveiled at Rashtriya Prerna Sthal in Lucknow as part of the three‑day Uttar Pradesh Day ( UP Diwas ) celebrations that highlight the state’s culture , development and heritage.

Addressing the gathering, Amit Shah said Uttar Pradesh has transformed into a growth engine of the nation and praised the state’s progress. He noted that the One District, One Product scheme has expanded and created employment, and added, “Through ‘One District, One Cuisine’, the Uttar Pradesh government has showcased the unique culinary heritage of each district.” Shah also emphasized the state’s changing identity and congratulated all associated with the effort to elevate traditional foods.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath explained that every district has its own unique taste, culture and identity and that this scheme aims to bring that to the forefront. He said the ODOC initiative would establish Uttar Pradesh’s cuisines on the global food map and create sustainable avenues for artisans, halwais, and small entrepreneurs. He noted that quality, hygiene, and food safety will be key priorities, and added that distinct culinary identities will be strengthened through organised branding, packaging, and marketing. “My dear citizens, every district in the state brings culture, pride and history to life with its unique flavours,” the Chief Minister said in a statement encouraging people to celebrate and share their local dishes.

Officials said the ODOC initiative is modelled on the highly successful One District, One Product ( ODOP ) programme, which has helped region‑specific products from Uttar Pradesh gain national and international recognition and strengthened local industries , branding and exports. Unlike ODOP, which focuses on goods such as handicrafts and regional products, ODOC specifically targets local cuisines and traditional recipes , mapping signature dishes from all 75 districts and promoting them through improved quality, hygiene, packaging and marketing.

The state government said the initiative will support traditional halwais , food artisans, small entrepreneurs and local workers by enabling their signature dishes to reach wider, while also creating sustainable livelihood opportunities at the grassroots level. Quality, food safety, and organised branding are expected to be key components, with district‑specific logos, product stories and certification standards helping promote these culinary identities.

Beyond economic and market goals, ODOC is intended to boost tourism by positioning Uttar Pradesh as a culinary destination that showcases food as an expression of culture, history and identity. Officials are preparing to develop cuisine clusters across the state’s 18 administrative divisions, linking traditional flavours with contemporary food trends and platforms such as e‑commerce and food festivals to attract visitors and buyers from across India and abroad.

The ODOC launch was part of a broader celebration of the state’s growth under the theme “Viksit Bharat‑Viksit Uttar Pradesh” , featuring cultural festivals, exhibitions, fairs and awards. As part of the Uttar Pradesh Day events, awards such as the Uttar Pradesh Gaurav Samman 2025‑26 were also presented to notable achievers in fields including science, entrepreneurship and arts.

Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak , Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh , and senior state officials were also present at the launch. Officials reiterated that ODOC is currently a Uttar Pradesh‑specific initiative and not a pan‑India scheme, reflecting the state government’s effort to leverage its rich food heritage for economic growth and cultural promotion.