Uttar Pradesh is set to launch an ambitious "One District, One Cuisine" (ODOC) initiative across all its 18 divisions, aiming to transform its rich culinary heritage into recognized brands, boost food tourism, create jobs, and increase exports. This initiative follows the success of the "One District, One Product" (ODOP) scheme and seeks to give each district a unique identity based on its distinctive culinary offerings.
The ODOC scheme aims to brand each district by its iconic dish, making it easier for tourists to explore the diverse culinary offerings of the state. Whether it's the Tunday Kebabs of Lucknow, the Petha of Agra, or the Banarasi Chaat of Varanasi, the initiative will focus on promoting these traditional foods and preserving culinary knowledge. Uttar Pradesh boasts a diverse food culture with Mughlai dishes from Rampur, Bedhai Puri from Agra, Mathura's Peda, Khus-Khus Halwa from Prayagraj, and millet-based dishes from western Uttar Pradesh being just a few examples of the state's culinary richness.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has emphasized the need to map each district's signature dishes and improve their quality, hygiene, packaging, branding, and marketing. The goal is to propel Uttar Pradesh from "local to global" by ensuring that ODOP products are not confined to traditional markets but integrated into major retail chains and modern marketplaces. This includes establishing dedicated ODOP sections in Unity Malls across various states and coordinating with major retail networks to ensure prominent placement of Uttar Pradesh's products.
The ODOC initiative is expected to benefit small businesses, restaurants, and food startups by increasing attention and demand for regional dishes. It is also projected to create jobs in hospitality, food processing, and local markets, benefiting a wide range of stakeholders. The scheme plans to certify authenticity to ensure that every dish promoted under the ODOC initiative is of high quality and represents the true flavor of the region, preventing the dilution of regional specialties and maintaining their genuine cultural significance.
Since its launch in 2018, the ODOP initiative has become the backbone of Uttar Pradesh's exports and local industries. Over 1.25 lakh toolkits have been distributed, loans exceeding ₹6,000 crore have been sanctioned, and more than 8,000 entrepreneurs have received direct marketing support. Thirty Common Facility Centers (CFCs) have been approved, and 44 ODOP products have been granted Geo tags. ODOP products are now sold on leading e-commerce platforms and account for more than 50% of the state's total exports. The scheme has also earned a national award for the second consecutive year.
Looking ahead, ODOP 2.0 will prioritize units and entrepreneurs who performed exceptionally well in the first phase, enabling them to further scale their businesses. Future plans will focus on empowering Uttar Pradesh's products across four key areas: technology, packaging, quality, and market reach. ODOP products will receive certification and enhanced brand value through reputed institutions to further strengthen their identity and establish a distinctive presence in global markets.
By promoting its unique culinary offerings, Uttar Pradesh aims to attract more tourists, both domestic and international, with food as the driving factor for travel. The initiative is expected to empower local chefs, preserve culinary knowledge, and ensure that future generations continue to enjoy these flavorful experiences. The Uttar Pradesh government hopes to empower local chefs and preserve culinary knowledge, ensuring that the next generation will continue to enjoy these flavorful experiences. With the ODOC initiative, Uttar Pradesh is poised to redefine its tourism offerings, create new opportunities for locals, and establish itself as a major food tourism destination.
