11 districts in Nagaland approved for ODOP scheme

DIMAPUR — A total of 11 districts in Nagaland have been approved for implementation of ‘One district one product (ODOP) initiative under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme.

This was informed by the minister of state for Food Processing Industries, Prahlad Singh Patel, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on March 24. The minister stated that out of all 766 districts across 36 states/ UT, ODOP has been approved for 713 districts of 35 states/ UT under PMFME scheme implemented by Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI).

Although the ministry has approved ODOP initiatives based on the recommendations of states and union territories, the state of Nagaland currently do not have any approved incubation centers under PMFME scheme.

However, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries has approved 76 incubation centres across the country with a total outlay of 205.95 crore to provide support to existing and prospective entrepreneurs for capacity building as well as new and innovative product development across the value chain.

The ODOP initiative has identified specific products for each district in Nagaland. As per district wise, Mon district has been identified for pickle, Longleng for ginger, Mokokchung for coffee, Wokha for fish-based products, Tuensang and Kiphire districts for Kholar (Rajma), Zhunheboto for soybean, Phek for Kiwi, Kohima for pickle, Peren for Naga King chilly product and Dimapur for Pineapple.

The PMFME scheme provides financial, technical and business support for setting up/ upgradation of micro food processing enterprises in the country which inter-alia creates the scope for employment at local level including opportunities for youth.