Transforming J&K
JAMMU, Mar 20: The Jammu and Kashmir government launched centrally sponsored initiative ‘One District One Product’ (ODOP) under PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme, a component of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan (ABA) to boost micro food processing industrial sector in the UT.
The ODOP scheme was introduced in 2020 by the Center government to boost traditionally produced perishable indigenous products with their promotion and export as well. The aim of launching this ambitious scheme was to foster balanced regional development, enable holistic socio-economic growth, boost exports and encourage investment.
This innovative initiative is generating enhanced employment opportunities, creating an ecosystem that promotes success and encourage local producers to go global. This scheme is also complementing the existing promotional efforts of the government through Agriculture Crop Clusters, Agriculture Export Policy and National Rurban Mission.
“PMFME, being implemented with the central funding of 60 per cent and state funding of 40 per cent, is working tremendously towards strengthening unorganized micro food processing units besides promoting formalization of the sector.
As per the scheme, existing micro food processing enterprises as well as new enterprises will be provided financial support on an individual basis for strengthening the infrastructure of the existing units and other related aspects of their enterprises.
Under the scheme, a micro food processing unit may secure 35 per cent or up to ₹10 lakh subsidy besides 50 per cent subsidy will be provided for marketing. In addition, support for bank credit will also be provided to the units under the scheme.
In J&K, the initiative has immensely helped the government to identify products with export potential in the district and address bottlenecks for exporting these products.
The initiative is also encouraging the local exporters and manufacturers to scale up their production and find potential buyers outside India with the help of government.
J&K government is also working on partnering with e-commerce platforms and large e-commerce players to support rural artisans and farmers in leveraging web-based sales through dedicated storefronts for ODOP.
The UT department of Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare has identified district-wise priority agriculture produce for development under the Micro Food Processing Enterprise scheme with special focus on region specific Basmati Rice, Saffron, Apple, Walnut, Maize, Organic Vegetables, Mushroom, Lavender, Trout and Rajmash among others.
Taking into consideration the feedback received from various stakeholders, the J&K administration has selected Jammu for dairy products; Rajouri and Kathua for spices; Poonch for mutton and poultry processing; Kishtwar as well as Doda for walnut processing; Ramban for honey processing; Udhampur for pickles and Jam; Reasi for organic vegetables and Samba for mushroom for coverage under ODOP initiative.
Similarly, the government has chosen Anantnag for TroutFish; Pulwama for saffron; Shopian for apple; Kulgam for apple and spices; Srinagar for flowers; Budgam for exotic vegetables; Baramulla for dairy products; Kupwara for walnut; Ganderbal for honey and Bandipora for processed poultry and mutton for coverage under ODOP scheme.
The ODOP initiative is aimed at manifesting the vision of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, 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. It also aims to attract investment in the district, boost manufacturing and exports as well as generate employment in the district. It is also aimed to provide an ecosystem for use of latest technologies at the district level to make them competitive with domestic as well as international markets.
Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, while talking about different initiatives launched by J&K administration for development of industrial sector, said that “We are enhancing people’s access to financial products, promoting One District One Product, institutional credit to women, youth, SMEs, handicrafts, horticulture and various other priority sectors.”
Recently, Pashupati Kumar Paras, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, unveiled six brands including Kashmiri chilli, as part of ‘One District-One Product’ (ODOP) strategy under centrally sponsored scheme PMFME.
The central scheme PMFME seeks to offer financial, technical and business assistance for up-gradation and establishment of two lakh micro food processing units based on ODOP method during a five-year period from 2020-21 to 2024-25, with a budget allocation of Rs.10,000 crore.
The J&K administration, capturing the essence of Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir’s spices, made the Kashmiri Lal Mirch product a part of ODOP component for spices in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Department of Commerce is focusing on agriculture crops on a cluster approach to support exports under the Agriculture Export Policy and the Ministry of Agriculture is also focusing on a cluster approach for development of specific agriculture products in districts having a comparative advantage. The ODOP approach of the scheme would lead to easing in providing common facilities and other support services.
Popular universities like IIT, IIM and NIFT are all being roped in the project so as to achieve better productivity, improve the supply chain and have minimalist technology without disturbing the traditional ecosystem.
In a significant achievement, Jammu and Kashmir administration has gained tremendous success in trade facilitation for walnuts and apples under the ODOP Initiative at the recently held Dubai Expo 2020.
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