New Delhi: The Central government on Wednesday allocated ₹145 crore to Nagaland for the construction of a Unity Mall in Dimapur, aimed at promoting and showcasing the state’s One District One Product (ODOP) offerings, the ministry of commerce & industry said.
The allocation is part of the Union Budget 2023-24, which has earmarked ₹5,000 crore for the establishment of Unity Malls across the country.
The announcement was made during an ODOP Sampark event organized by the Department for the Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in collaboration with Invest India and the Department of Industries and Commerce, Nagaland. The event aimed to raise awareness about the ODOP and PM Gati Shakti initiatives, focusing on promoting local industries and improving logistics.
Sumita Dawra, Special Secretary of DPIIT, emphasized the efforts of DPIIT and Invest India in conducting a National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) Drive in Kohima. The drive focused on chili farming, with over 30 farmers from Kohima participating in the workshop.
During the event, the documentation for organic certification for 15 chili farmers was completed, while the verification process for others is still ongoing. This certification will enable better access to international markets and ensure better prices for the farmers.
Dawra also highlighted the government’s commitment to improving logistics for ODOP products from Nagaland, such as chili, turmeric, kiwi, and pineapple. Efforts will be made to enhance facilities through schemes like Krishi UDAN and expanding railway connectivity.
The One District One Product Awards, instituted by DPIIT, will acknowledge the outstanding work done by states, districts, and Indian missions abroad in promoting economic development and the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. The awards will be launched on June 25, 2023, through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal.
Local officials representing various departments, including Industries, Agriculture, Horticulture, and APEDA, also emphasized the need for an integrated Customs Depot, a dedicated Krishi rail wagon up to Dimapur, and improved connectivity under the Krishi Udan Scheme for organic products.
The DPIIT Invest officials highlighted the initiatives undertaken under the ODOP program to empower Indian products, including design sensitization workshops, ODOP GeM Bazaar on the Government e-Marketplace, and ODOP exhibitions.
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Updated: 21 Jun 2023, 09:32 PM IST