UP trains 1.31 lakh artisans under ODOP scheme, exports surge to Rs 1.84 lakh Cr

The Uttar Pradesh government has trained 1.31 lakh artisans and distributed free toolkits under its flagship One District One Product (ODOP) scheme , aimed at reviving traditional industries and boosting employment, MSME Minister Rakesh Sachan informed the Assembly on Thursday.

Replying to a starred question by Samajwadi Party MLA Ashu Malik from Saharanpur, Sachan said the ODOP initiative, launched in 2018 , was designed to identify and promote district-specific traditional products by providing artisans with skill training, modern toolkits and financial assistance.

Under the scheme, 2,275 artisans in Saharanpur have received training and toolkits so far, while 454 beneficiaries in the district were provided financial assistance amounting to Rs 16.26 crore , the minister said.

Artisans enrolled under ODOP are also eligible for insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh under the Mukhyamantri Durghatna Bima Yojana , he added.

Sachan noted that the scheme has linked nearly 3.16 lakh people to employment across Uttar Pradesh, highlighting its role in strengthening the state’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector and preserving indigenous crafts.

The minister further said that Uttar Pradesh’s exports have risen sharply from Rs 86,000 crore in 2017-18 to Rs 1.84 lakh crore at present, with nearly 50 per cent of the contribution coming from ODOP products and handicrafts.

So far, 79 products from Uttar Pradesh have received Geographical Indication (GI) tags , strengthening the global recognition of the state’s traditional crafts under the ODOP framework, which draws inspiration from Japan’s OVOP model. Encouraged by the scheme’s success in promoting local industries, the government has now introduced the ‘One District One Cuisine’ initiative to showcase and preserve the state’s diverse regional food heritage.

Following the minister’s reply, MLA Malik sought details on how many of the 2,275 trained beneficiaries in Saharanpur had secured employment. Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana directed the government to collect the information and present it to the House.