CM Yogi Highlights Banda's Shazar Stone Rise Under ODOP
Synopsis
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's office says Banda's Shazar stone is gaining recognition as a precious gemstone with rising domestic and international demand, crediting the state's One District One Product programme launched in 2018.
Key Takeaways
The Chief Minister's Office of Uttar Pradesh quoted CM Yogi Adityanath on 9 July 2026 on the success of the ODOP programme.
Banda district's Shazar stone — a fossilised wood with dendritic patterns — is the district's designated ODOP product.
Major companies are now reportedly seeking Shazar stone, and demand is rising both domestically and internationally, per the CM's statement.
The ODOP scheme was launched by the Uttar Pradesh government in 2018 to brand one unique product per district across all 75 districts .
The initiative supports local artisans and gemstone exporters by providing state-backed branding and market access.
Uttar Pradesh is expected to expand ODOP export facilitation cells and increase participation in international gem and jewellery fairs.
The Chief Minister's Office of Uttar Pradesh, quoting Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Thursday, 9 July 2026, highlighted the growing national and international demand for Banda district's iconic Shazar stone as a direct outcome of the state's One District One Product (ODOP) programme.
Context
The Chief Minister's Office shared a statement from CM Yogi asserting that through ODOP, the unique products of every district are being taken forward. 'आज बड़ी-बड़ी कंपनियां बांदा के शजर पत्थर की मांग कर रही हैं' ('Today, major companies are demanding Banda's Shazar stone'), the post read. The statement further noted that Shazar stone is now establishing a distinct identity among precious gemstones, with demand rising both within India and abroad.
Shazar stone, a fossilised wood prized for its intricate dendritic — tree-like — patterns, has long been associated with the Banda district in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. Artisans there have historically shaped it into decorative objects and jewellery, though the craft remained largely informal and regionally confined before state-backed intervention.
Policy Backdrop
The ODOP scheme was launched by the Government of Uttar Pradesh in 2018 under CM Yogi's administration to identify and brand one distinctive product per district, aiming to boost employment, formalise traditional crafts, and expand export earnings. Uttar Pradesh has 75 districts, each mapped to a specific product ranging from handicrafts and textiles to food items and minerals.
The programme aligns with the national Make in India initiative, which seeks to formalise and scale heritage products — including stones, handicrafts, and artisanal goods — through supply-chain integration and market linkages. Shazar stone's inclusion under ODOP has given Banda's artisans access to state-backed branding and promotional platforms, including trade fairs and government procurement channels.
Uttar Pradesh has consistently used ODOP as a vehicle to position district-level MSME clusters within broader domestic and export markets, reflecting a deliberate strategy of geographic product specialisation.
Stakeholders and Impact
Local artisans and lapidary workers in Banda stand to benefit most directly from increased corporate and export demand for Shazar stone. Greater formal market access translates into improved income stability and an incentive to pass on traditional stone-cutting skills to younger generations.
Gemstone exporters operating in established hubs such as Jaipur and Surat are also potential beneficiaries, as Shazar stone's rising profile could integrate it into premium jewellery lines targeting domestic boutique buyers and overseas markets. The state government's promotional push is expected to draw attention at international gem and jewellery trade events.
What's Next
The Uttar Pradesh government is expected to deepen ODOP export facilitation efforts, including the establishment of dedicated export cells and enhanced participation in international gem and jewellery fairs. Banda's Shazar stone, now positioned as a 'precious gemstone' in official messaging, could feature prominently in upcoming state-level trade delegations.
The broader trajectory suggests that Uttar Pradesh will continue leveraging ODOP as a soft-power and economic tool, using district-specific products to build state brand equity in both domestic and global markets. For Banda, sustained corporate interest in Shazar stone could catalyse wider artisan cluster development in the Bundelkhand region.
Point of View
And visible wins here reinforce the government's narrative of inclusive growth across Uttar Pradesh. The framing of Shazar stone as a 'precious gemstone' rather than a craft material signals an intent to move the product up the value chain, which would require sustained export infrastructure investment. Whether corporate interest translates into durable artisan income will be the real test of ODOP's depth beyond branding.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shazar stone and why is it famous in Banda?
Shazar stone is a fossilised wood found in the Banda district of Uttar Pradesh, prized for its distinctive tree-like dendritic patterns. It has long been used by local artisans in decorative objects and jewellery, and is now being promoted as a precious gemstone under the state's ODOP scheme.
What is the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme in Uttar Pradesh?
The ODOP scheme was launched by the Uttar Pradesh government in 2018 to identify and brand one unique product per district across all 75 districts, with the goal of boosting local employment, formalising traditional crafts, and expanding exports.
What did CM Yogi Adityanath say about Shazar stone?
CM Yogi Adityanath stated that major companies are now demanding Banda's Shazar stone, that it is establishing a distinct identity among precious gemstones, and that its demand is growing both within India and internationally — all attributed to the ODOP programme.
How does ODOP benefit local artisans in Uttar Pradesh?
ODOP provides local artisans with state-backed branding, access to trade fairs, government procurement linkages, and integration into formal supply chains, helping them reach larger domestic and export markets that were previously inaccessible.
Which region of UP does Banda district belong to?
Banda district is part of the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, an area historically associated with traditional stone crafts and one that the state government has prioritised for economic development through programmes like ODOP.
