Yogi Govt to launch ‘One District, One Cuisine’ in major branding push for UP’s culinary heritage
The Uttar Pradesh government is preparing to roll out an ambitious new initiative titled ‘One District, One Cuisine’ (ODOC), aiming to turn the state’s diverse culinary traditions into marketable global brands.
The move comes on the back of the widely acclaimed ‘One District, One Product’ (ODOP) programme, which has become synonymous with the state’s rise as a major hub of handicrafts, handloom, agro-processing and local enterprise.
Chairing a high-level review meeting on Friday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the state’s culinary heritage – from iconic halwa and laddoos to region-specific savouries like dalmoth, kababs and pickle traditions – forms “the cultural soul of Uttar Pradesh” and deserves structured promotion, better packaging and global visibility.
A new identity for every district
Under the ODOC plan, each district will be assigned a signature cuisine that reflects its history, ingredients and traditional cooking practices. Officials said the scheme will build district-level branding around these dishes by improving quality, hygiene, packaging, marketing and retail presence.
The Chief Minister emphasised that strengthening local culinary identities would not only boost micro-enterprises but also help Uttar Pradesh project its cultural depth on global platforms. “ODOP and ODOC together will drive the journey from local to global,” he said.
ODOP 2.0: Scaling up a proven model
The state government is simultaneously rolling out ODOP 2.0, a more advanced version of the original ODOP scheme launched in 2018. The upgraded programme will target scale, technology adoption, and export competitiveness while supporting small manufacturers with improved market access.
Officials told the Chief Minister that ODOP has become the backbone of the state’s export ecosystem. Since its launch, more than 1.25 lakh toolkits have been distributed, loans worth over Rs 6,000 crore sanctioned, and 8,000-plus entrepreneurs have received direct support for branding and market linkage.
Thirty Common Facility Centres (CFCs) have been approved so far, while 44 ODOP products have been geo-tagged. ODOP-branded goods now account for over half of Uttar Pradesh’s total exports and feature prominently on leading e-commerce platforms. The initiative has also secured national awards for two consecutive years.
Focus on technology, packaging and global retail
Calling ODOP 2.0 a “powerful tool” for employment and enterprise development, the Chief Minister directed officials to prioritise four areas: technology, packaging, quality and market access. He said the next phase must focus on nurturing high-performing units that emerged from ODOP’s first phase.
He instructed that Common Facility Centres be made more effective by involving technical experts who can assist small entrepreneurs with design, packaging, testing and production under one roof.
The government also plans to integrate ODOP products into modern retail networks. Dedicated ODOP display centres will be established inside Unity Malls across states. Discussions will also begin with major retail chains to ensure Uttar Pradesh’s products receive prominent shelf space nationwide.
Turning cuisine into a global brand
Officials said ODOC will carve a pathway for Uttar Pradesh’s traditional dishes to reach global markets through curated branding, storytelling, improved packaging and compliance with global food standards. The initiative is expected to create new supply chains connecting farmers, local chefs, food processors and exporters.
With both ODOP 2.0 and ODOC set to run in parallel, the Yogi government believes Uttar Pradesh can unlock a new wave of entrepreneurship centred around culture, cuisine and creative industries.
