Vijayapura: The Union Government’s ambitious programme One District One Product (ODOP) has received an overwhelming response from the aspiring entrepreneurs of the district.
The District Administration has received over 150 applications for the ODOP programme. Among them, the authorities have sanctioned as many as 43 applications, where the remaining applications are being verified, claimed officials of the District Administration.
Rajashekhar Williams, Joint-Director of the Department of Agriculture and also the In-Charge officer for the ODOP programme for the district, said, “The State Government has selected lime under the ODOP scheme for Vijayapura. The district produces one of the best qualities of lime in the State. The harvesting will be in all the 12 months of a year; however, the farmers struggle to get a good price in monsoon amid good yield.”
“This ODOP programme is aimed at providing a good marketing platform for the lime growers in all the 12 months. Under the ODOP scheme, the government encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to set up a small business, where it provides subsidies up to 50 per cent.”
“We have received a good response from the people of the district. Among the 150 applications received 43 have been already approved. The district stands in first place in the ODOP programme in the State. After giving a nod for the applications, the applicants will be sent for training to Central Food Technological Research Institute of Mysuru,” detailed J. D. Williams.
ODOP scheme was launched during the B. S. Yediyurappa’s regime in the State. The state government aims to promote the micro food processing industry under this scheme. The products in each district have been chosen based on what is predominantly cultivated in the region and also on the market potential of the product. Under the ODOP scheme, lemon has been selected from Vijayapura.
According to officials, “The Union Government will give 35 per cent and the State Government will give 15 per cent subsidy to the entrepreneurs to set-up their small-scale industry. Apart from this Rs. 10 lakh loan will be accorded from the national banks. The maximum budget to set up an industry is Rs. 35 lakh and applicants should have land.”
Among the applications received, many people are planning to produce lime pickles, varieties of lime juice, lime squash, dry lime and many other products.
Siddu Pujari, one of the beneficiaries of the ODOP programme, said, “This is an entrepreneur and farmer-friendly programme. Using the benefits of this programme, I am aiming to develop lime as One District One Product and One Brand in the coming days.”
“I have already received a subsidy from the union government and also got a loan from the bank to set up my plant. If everything goes as planned the plant will be inaugurated in mid-June. I will be the first person to set up a plant under the ODOP programme in the district.”
“After reading the scope for lime in the market, I have come up with four by-products from the citric fruit. The products are lemon cordial, lemon concentrate, lemon squash and lemon peel powder. I have also tied up with a private marketing agency to promote my products. This will not only give a big boost for lime but also create a brand for lime that is grown in Vijayapura,” elaborated entrepreneur Pujari.
