Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, highlighted the growing national and global recognition of Kaladi, the traditional heritage cheese of Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir, crediting its rise to a combination of scientific innovation, modern processing, and the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative — and to its recent spotlight on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat.

Context

Dr. Jitendra Singh noted that Kaladi is 'earning nationwide and global recognition after being highlighted by PM Sh Narendra Modi in Mann Ki Baat.' The minister, who represents the Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency, described the product as an 'iconic heritage cheese' that is 'preserving its authentic taste while meeting global quality standards, thus proudly taking India's rich culinary heritage to the world.'

Kaladi is a semi-hard, traditional cheese made from cow or buffalo milk, produced by artisan dairy farmers in and around Udhampur district. It has long been a staple of the local diet but remained largely unknown outside the region until recent institutional support began widening its reach.

Policy Backdrop

The One District One Product scheme was scaled nationally from 2020 as a pillar of the Atmanirbhar Bharat programme, designed to identify and promote each district's most distinctive product for domestic and export markets. Jammu and Kashmir's inclusion in the scheme has been part of broader economic integration efforts following the reorganisation of the region in 2019.

Scientific bodies under the Department of Science and Technology have supported the standardisation of traditional recipes across multiple states, helping artisan producers meet food-safety and quality benchmarks required for export. Dr. Jitendra Singh, who holds independent charge of the science and technology portfolio, has been a consistent advocate for applying scientific processes to preserve and scale traditional products.

Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister's monthly radio address that began in October 2014, has repeatedly served as a platform to spotlight citizen-led and culture-rooted initiatives. A mention in the programme has historically generated significant commercial and media attention for featured products and communities.

Stakeholders and Impact

The primary beneficiaries of Kaladi's rising profile are local cheese makers, dairy farmers, and artisans of Udhampur, many of whom rely on traditional production methods passed down through generations. Wider market access — domestic and international — directly translates into improved livelihoods for this community.

The convergence of ODOP support, scientific standardisation, and prime ministerial visibility positions Kaladi as a model for how other region-specific food products across Jammu and Kashmir can be elevated. Parallel ODOP products from other J&K districts are likely to seek similar pathways to formal recognition and export facilitation.

What's Next

Observers will watch for a potential Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Kaladi, which would provide legal protection for its origin and authenticity — a step that has boosted export prospects for products such as Darjeeling tea and Basmati rice. Export orders and formal tie-ups with retail chains or food-processing companies could follow if institutional momentum is sustained.

The minister's post signals that the central government views Kaladi not merely as a local delicacy but as a cultural and economic asset with genuine international potential, setting the stage for further policy and financial support to be directed toward Udhampur's dairy sector.