DPIIT, Invest India officials in Nagaland for PM Gati Shakti, ODOP Sampark

Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 22

The officials of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry and Invest India are currently in Nagaland to carry forward ODOP (One District One Product) initiatives in Nagaland and Gati Shakti-National Master Plan for Multi-modal Connectivity.

During “Vibrant Nagaland” (Empowering Nagaland: Unleashing Connectivity for Progress) programme organised by DPIIT along with the Department of Industries & Commerce (DI&C), Nagaland at Hotel Vivor on June 20, Sumita Dawra, Special Secretary, DPIIT, Government of India said that the ODOP is a programme where thousands of products have been identified from various districts of the country.

She said each district of the country has something to offer and some of the products have already reached the international market.

Nagaland grows a lot of pineapples, kiwi, coffee, turmeric, ginger, and king chili, which will surely find bigger markets with the help of startups, she said.

Earlier, Kekhrievor Kevichusa, Commissioner & Secretary, DI&C gave the welcome address while Ben Yanthan, Director, Department of Agriculture and Meyasashi, Director, Department of Horticulture also spoke at the programme.

ODOP Sampark
Meanwhile, speaking at ODOP Sampark on June 21, organised by Invest India and DPIIT in collaboration with the DI&C and Press Information Bureau, Dawra highlighted the efforts of two agencies in conducting a National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) Drive in Kohima on June 20 for Chilli from Nagaland.

The documentation for the organic certification for over 15 chili farmers from Kohima was done during the workshop and the remaining will be completed soon after the verification of their documents.

This will play a major role in ensuring better access for Indian products in foreign markets like the European Union, Switzerland, etc, and help gain better prices for the farmers, she maintained. 

Special Secretary also highlighted that efforts will be undertaken to improve the logistics facilities for ODOP products from Nagaland like chili, turmeric, kiwi, pineapple, etc, through the Krishi UDAN scheme, expanding railway connectivity, etc.

She also noted that the Union Budget 2023-24 has allocated Rs 5000 crore for the construction of unity malls across the country, which will function as a one-stop marketplace for ODOP products across the country.

It was also highlighted that a sum of Rs 145 crore has been allocated for the proposed unity mall planned by the State Government in Dimapur.

The official from Invest India also highlighted the efforts of DPIIT under the ODOP Initiative for the empowerment of Indian products through interventions like Design sensitisation workshops, ODOP GeM Bazaar on Government e-Marketplace, ODOP exhibitions, etc.

Over 1000 ODOP from 761 district in India
Also addressing the Sampark,  Nagaland’s Development Commissioner, R Ramakrishnan said that ODOP initiative is aimed at manifesting the vision of Prime Minister of India to foster balanced regional development across all districts of the country.

The idea is to select, brand, and promote One Product from each District of the country, for enabling holistic socioeconomic growth across all regions, to attract investment in the District to boost manufacturing and exports, to generate employment in the district and to provide ecosystem for Innovation/ use of Technology at District level to make them competitive with domestic as well as International market.

Over 1000 products from various sectors have been identified from the 761 districts of the country for their cultural significance, production capabilities and export potential, he said.

In Nagaland, the ODOP product mix comprising of 25 products (14 primary and 11 secondary products) in 16 districts have been identified as per an official release (see table). 

Most of the identified ODOP items centre on the Horti-Agri produces, Ramakrishnan highlighted.

The horti-agri produce of the State is organic by default, adding geographical indication (GI) tagging of produce and products from the state would also offer market advantages which need to be taped, he maintained. 

Three products – Naga King Chilli, Tree Tomato and Sweet Cucumber are GI Tagged from the state.

The State Government is pursuing the adoption of Cluster Development concept to organise and stimulate the development of the unorganized sector in the State, he said.

The Development Commissioner also informed that the  District Export Promotion Committees have also been established to give impetus to districts as the export hubs also.

He said that absence or inadequate post-harvest management facilities and industrial logistics are issues for the state at the present.

Jacob George from Invest India and A Temjen Jamir, Director, DI&C and also spoke at the programme.

The Special Secretary also held a review meeting on PM Gati Shakti with state government officials on Wednesday.