In a significant accomplishment, Meghalaya has clinched the second runners-up award at the ‘ODOP Awards 2023,’ held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). This recognition underscores Meghalaya’s commitment to the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative.
Prestigious Recognition
The ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Utsav’ and ODOP Awards ceremony, inaugurated by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, aims to applaud the remarkable contributions of states, union territories, districts, and Indian missions in realizing the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ through the ODOP initiative.
Chief Minister’s Response
Expressing gratitude for the award, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma emphasized its motivational impact on farmers and skilled artisans striving to showcase their unique products on national and international platforms. The success at the ODOP Awards, according to Chief Minister Sangma, results from strategic initiatives, mission-mode programs, brand creation, Geographic Indication (GI) tagging, and robust marketing strategies.
Chief Minister Sangma extended appreciation to the DPIIT and the Ministry of Commerce for recognizing and acknowledging Meghalaya’s dedicated efforts in promoting ODOP.
Commitment to Self-Reliance
Meghalaya Commissioner and Secretary Vijay Kumar D, receiving the award on behalf of the state, emphasized that the recognition validates the hard work and resilience of the people of Meghalaya. The commitment is to contribute to building a self-reliant India by showcasing the state’s unique products.
Focus on Sustainable Growth
Vijay Kumar D highlighted Meghalaya’s commitment to fostering innovation, quality assurance, and global collaborations for sustainable growth across different sectors. The state’s focus on building agri-value chains, ensuring quality assurance, and fostering global collaborations positions its ODOPs to compete on a global scale.
Meghalaya’s ODOP Initiatives
Meghalaya actively promotes ODOP products through various initiatives, including awareness campaigns, quality standards implementation, infrastructure improvement, and specific registration processes. The state government supports unique branding, introduces new technologies, conducts gap analysis, arranges exposure visits, and facilitates capacity-building workshops.
Meghalaya recently exported GI-tagged Khasi mandarin oranges to Dubai, establishing valuable market connections and showcasing the success of its ODOP initiatives on a global platform.
