“Uttar Pradesh’s One District One Product (ODOP) scheme is set to create 25 lakh jobs by 2026, boosting local economies through district-specific products. The ODOP 2.0 action plan focuses on entrepreneurship, skill development, and global branding, while cow-based innovation and Common Facility Centers drive rural self-reliance.”
UP’s ODOP Scheme Targets 25 Lakh Jobs with Local Innovation
The Uttar Pradesh government is intensifying its flagship One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, aiming to generate 25 lakh jobs by 2026 through a robust ODOP 2.0 action plan. Launched in 2018 by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the initiative leverages district-specific products to foster entrepreneurship, self-employment, and skill development. With 74 unique products now under its ambit, including 12 recently added items, ODOP seeks to elevate traditional crafts and local industries to national and international markets.
The ODOP 2.0 action plan, set for approval in 2025–26, introduces streamlined processes and category-wise budget allocations to enhance efficiency. Common Facility Centers (CFCs) in districts like Unnao, Bijnor, and Gonda are slated for inauguration, with more projects in the pipeline. These centers will provide infrastructure for branding, packaging, marketing, and quality enhancement, ensuring products like Bhadohi carpets and Moradabad brassware gain global recognition. The government is also integrating traditional food items into the formal economy, further expanding economic opportunities.
A key component of the initiative is its focus on cow-based innovation under the “One District, One Innovation” model. Each of Uttar Pradesh’s 75 districts will develop a self-reliant cow shelter (Atma Nirbhar Gaushala) to produce Panchgavya medicines, organic fertilizers, and cow-dung-based products like paint and biogas. This initiative, while controversial for its emphasis on cow-based products, is projected to curb rural migration by training women-led self-help groups (SHGs) and village youth in production and marketing, creating sustainable employment.
Since its inception, ODOP has empowered over 55,000 young entrepreneurs aged 18–40, with products ranging from traditional crafts to modern innovations like eco-friendly bricks and digital libraries. The state claims the scheme has replaced a culture of lawlessness—once termed “One District, One Mafia” by CM Adityanath—with economic opportunity. By setting district-wise targets and facilitating bank loans, the government ensures financial support for artisans and small businesses.
Despite its ambitious goals, critics argue that the scheme’s focus on cow-based products may prioritize ideology over pressing issues like healthcare and education. Skeptics question whether the initiative can address rural distress effectively or if it risks becoming symbolic rather than transformative. Nonetheless, the state government remains optimistic, citing the scheme’s success in providing employment to millions and boosting Uttar Pradesh’s global identity through its unique products.
The ODOP scheme’s alignment with national job creation efforts, such as the ₹1 trillion Employment-Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme aiming for 35 million jobs by 2027, underscores its significance. Uttar Pradesh’s contribution through ODOP is expected to play a pivotal role in this broader vision, with a focus on formalizing the economy and transitioning workers to higher-productivity roles.
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