CM Yogi: ODOP puts Saharanpur wood carving on global map
Synopsis
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath says Uttar Pradesh's ODOP scheme has given Saharanpur's centuries-old wood-carving tradition global recognition, with district exports exceeding ₹600 crore. The announcement underlines the state's push to convert traditional craft clusters into organised export engines.
Key Takeaways
The Chief Minister's Office of Uttar Pradesh shared a statement from CM Yogi Adityanath on 1 July 2026 crediting the ODOP scheme for Saharanpur's global craft recognition.
Saharanpur is designated under ODOP for its wood-carving tradition, one of the oldest craft clusters in Uttar Pradesh .
Products worth more than ₹600 crore are being exported from Saharanpur under the ODOP framework, according to the Chief Minister's statement.
The ODOP scheme was launched in 2018 by the Uttar Pradesh government to map and promote one signature product per district.
The Saharanpur wood-carving cluster benefits artisans, exporters, and ancillary workers across a labour-intensive local economy.
Uttar Pradesh is positioning ODOP as a model for converting traditional craft heritage into structured, export-oriented industries across all 75 districts .
The Chief Minister's Office of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, shared a statement from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighting that the state's 'One District, One Product' (ODOP) scheme has elevated Saharanpur's centuries-old wood-carving tradition to international recognition, with products worth more than ₹600 crore being exported from the district.
Context
The post, attributed directly to CM Yogi Adityanath, states in Hindi: 'वन डिस्ट्रिक्ट, वन प्रोडक्ट के माध्यम से वुड कार्विंग की कला सहारनपुर को वैश्विक पहचान दिला रही है' — meaning, 'Through One District, One Product, the art of wood carving is giving Saharanpur global recognition.' The Chief Minister added that products linked to this craft worth more than ₹600 crore are being exported from the district.
Saharanpur, located in western Uttar Pradesh, has been a centre of rosewood and sheesham wood craftsmanship for centuries. Artisans here produce intricately carved furniture, decorative panels, and utility items that have historically found buyers in domestic and overseas markets.
Policy Backdrop
The ODOP scheme was formally launched by the Uttar Pradesh government in 2018 under CM Yogi Adityanath, mapping one signature product per district to drive local manufacturing, artisan welfare, and export promotion. Saharanpur was identified early in the programme as a wood-carving cluster with high export potential.
The national ODOP framework, which gained momentum from 2020 onwards, aligned with the state's approach, giving Uttar Pradesh additional institutional support to link district clusters to international trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, and e-commerce platforms. The Saharanpur cluster's trajectory illustrates how district-level branding, when backed by state policy, can convert artisanal heritage into organised export activity.
The scheme is also part of the broader state effort to raise the contribution of MSMEs and handicrafts to Uttar Pradesh's outbound trade, as the state government has sought to position the state as a leading export hub in northern India.
Stakeholders and Impact
The primary beneficiaries are Saharanpur's wood artisans and handicraft exporters, many of whom operate as small and micro enterprises. The ODOP framework has provided them access to branding support, packaging upgrades, and linkages with global buyers that were previously difficult to secure independently.
For the wider district economy, export revenues of more than ₹600 crore represent significant income for a labour-intensive craft sector. The multiplier effect extends to timber suppliers, finishing workers, logistics providers, and small traders across the district's craft ecosystem.
What's Next
Attention will now turn to the release of updated annual export data for Saharanpur district and any new ODOP-linked trade fair participation or buyer-seller meets that the Uttar Pradesh government may announce in the coming months. The state has previously used events such as the UP International Trade Show to showcase ODOP products to international buyers.
As Uttar Pradesh continues to expand the ODOP framework across all 75 districts, the Saharanpur wood-carving model is likely to be cited as a template for converting traditional craft clusters into structured, export-oriented industries — with policy focus expected to remain on artisan skilling, quality certification, and market access.
Point of View
Offering the administration a district-by-district story of economic uplift that is politically resonant ahead of any future electoral cycle. The ₹600 crore export figure, if verified by official trade data, would represent a meaningful milestone for a single craft cluster and could strengthen the case for scaling similar interventions in other ODOP districts. Analysts will watch whether the state backs this messaging with expanded artisan credit access, quality certification infrastructure, and sustained participation in international trade fairs.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ODOP scheme in Uttar Pradesh?
The One District, One Product (ODOP) scheme was launched by the Uttar Pradesh government in 2018 to identify and promote a single signature product from each of the state's 75 districts, linking artisans and manufacturers to domestic and export markets.
What is Saharanpur famous for under ODOP?
Saharanpur is designated under the ODOP scheme for its wood-carving tradition, particularly intricate furniture and decorative items crafted from rosewood and sheesham, which have been produced in the district for centuries.
How much does Saharanpur export in wood carving products?
According to a statement by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath shared on 1 July 2026, products worth more than ₹600 crore are being exported from Saharanpur's wood-carving sector.
How has ODOP helped artisans in Saharanpur?
The ODOP framework has provided Saharanpur's wood artisans with branding support, market linkages, access to international buyers, and packaging upgrades, helping small and micro enterprises scale their exports.
What is the national ODOP initiative and how does it relate to UP's scheme?
The national ODOP framework gained momentum from 2020 and aligned with Uttar Pradesh's own 2018 scheme, giving the state additional institutional support to connect district craft clusters to global trade platforms and export promotion bodies.
