LUCKNOW: The state government will promote food products of 11 UP districts, including dairy products of Hardoi, potatoes of Etawah, guavas of Allahabad and gooseberry of Pratapgarh, under its ‘one district one product’ (ODOP) scheme.Speaking at the ODOP summit in Lucknow on Friday, deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya said, “Being the largest producer of milk, food grain, potato, mango, sugarcane, UP has good potential for setting up associated processing industries. ODOP will boost export from UP. Organisations like APEDA (Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) can help promote local processed food items in national and international markets.”“Why only mega food parks, we can set up even mini food parks. We can pick one famous food product from each district and help in setting up its processing industry. Jobs are limited, so local industry will create employment opportunities,” he added. Several experts supported the idea of preparing an elaborate business development plan of select clusters before promoting their produce in international market. VK Mishra, a panellist and member of PHD Chamber, said that China has strategically developed an entire garlic city which produces customised sizes of garlic and its paste based on customers’ choice. “Our products should also be custom produced based on international demand and customers’ choice,” he said.

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