One District One Product (ODOP) Scheme: A Tale of Two Agricultural Products in Eastern Uttar Pradesh

By : Roli Misra, Nagendra Kumar, Shivani Tewari

Page No: 32-42

Abstract
Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in the country, dominated by agrarian activities, continues to be backward in the national context and also in intra-state comparisons. The Eastern U.P. comprising of 28 districts is officially designated as the most backward region in Uttar Pradesh and each district faces situational factors of development which are unique to it. In 2018, the government of Uttar Pradesh came out with a unique scheme ‘One District One Product (ODOP)’ which was launched in 75 districts of the state. This scheme’s purpose is to encourage a district-specific product, either agricultural or craft-based, which has the potential to increase employment and means of livelihood. In this backdrop, this study attempts to analyze the impact of the ODOP scheme in increasing productivity of agricultural goods, generating employment and enhancing incomes of the beneficiaries in two aspirational districts of the Eastern Uttar Pradesh, namely, Balrampur and Siddharthnagar.The ODOP products of these two districts are Masoor Dal (Red Lentil) and Kalanamak rice, respectively. This study utilizes data collected through a field survey in the selected districts through a structured questionnaire. The study takes a qualitative and case study approach to analyze the problems and prospects in implementation of the ODOP scheme and suggest some policy interventions for making it a game changer in the upliftment of the beneficiaries of ODOP products.

Authors :
Roli Misra
Associate Professor, Department of Economics, University of Lucknow.

Nagendra Kumar
Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Economics, University of Lucknow.

Shivani Tewari
Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Study Hall College, University of Lucknow.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/PROD.2021.62.01.4