- The scheme identifies one unique product from each district and provides financial, technical, marketing and skill-development support to make these products nationally and globally competitive.
- Under the ODOP Margin Money Scheme, eligible artisans and entrepreneurs receive credit-linked subsidy (margin money) to establish, modernise or expand enterprises related to their district's identified product.
- The programme also offers training, modern toolkits, product design support, branding, packaging, quality improvement, marketing assistance, participation in exhibitions and export promotion.
- Eligibility: Applicants must be 18 years or above, should not be loan defaulters, and the enterprise must be related to the ODOP product identified for that district. No minimum educational qualification is required.
- Applications can be submitted through the official ODOP portal, and financial assistance is provided through banks in coordination with the MSME & Export Promotion Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh.
- The scheme aims to generate employment, preserve traditional crafts, increase exports, strengthen local industries and improve the income of artisans and small entrepreneurs.
- Well-known ODOP products include Banarasi Silk (Varanasi), Chikankari (Lucknow), Brassware (Moradabad), Perfume (Kannauj), Glassware (Firozabad) and Black Pottery (Azamgarh).
Question:
Q1. The primary objective of the One District One Product (ODOP) Scheme is to:
a) Promote IT startups in urban areas
b) Develop one traditional product from each district and support local industries
c) Provide free agricultural equipment to farmers
d) Increase government employment
Answer: b) The ODOP Scheme identifies one unique product from each district and provides financial, technical, marketing and skill-development support to make it globally competitive.
