Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry addressed a question regarding the Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) initiative, specifically concerning Nashik district in Maharashtra. The response details the identification of export potential, support measures, training programs, and initiatives under the "Vocal for Local" vision to boost exports. Key products for Nashik include grapes, onions, processed food, and engineering goods.
Key Points / Main Content:
Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) Initiative:
* The government identifies export potential in all districts, including Nashik, through the DEH initiative.
* State Export Promotion Committees (SEPC) and District Export Promotion Committees (DEPC) are established in all States/UTs, including Maharashtra.
* District Export Action Plans (DEAPs) have been prepared for 590 districts, including Nashik, to address supply chain bottlenecks.
* Identified products for Nashik include Nashik Grapes, Paithani Sarees, Nashik Valley Wine, Raisin, Lasalgaon Onion, Electronics and Electrical components and Pharmaceuticals.
Support Measures and Training Programs:
* Outreach events under the Niryat Bandhu Scheme are organized nationwide to support exporters and MSMEs.
* Training programs were held for MSME exporters, including sessions on e-commerce and export incentives.
* The Export Promotion Mission (EPM), announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, aims to address bottlenecks faced by Indian exporters, especially MSMEs.
Vocal for Local and One District One Product (ODOP) Initiatives:
* The 'Vocal for Local' initiative is part of the Aspirational Blocks Programme of NITI Aayog.
* The One District One Product (ODOP) Initiative of DPIIT aims to foster balanced regional development.
* ODOP has identified 1241 products from 773 districts across the country.
* The ODOP GeM Bazaar promotes sales of ODOP items on the Government eMarketplace (GeM).
* DGFT partners with ODOP to conduct export sensitization and promotion workshops.
* ODOP has launched a digital gift catalogue and a directory of ODOP suppliers.
* ODOP collaborates with the Ministry of External Affairs to promote products at international events.
* The PM Gatishakti ODOP Experiential Centre showcases ODOP products in New Delhi.
* National ODOP Awards recognize efforts in achieving economic development through the ODOP approach.
Impact Analysis:
Exporters and MSMEs in Nashik:
* Impact: Benefit from identified export opportunities, training programs, and support measures to enhance export competitiveness.
* Action Required: Participate in outreach events, training programs, and leverage digital platforms to expand international trade.
State and District Level Committees (SEPC and DEPC):
* Impact: Responsible for implementing and monitoring the DEH initiative at the state and district levels.
* Action Required: Develop and execute District Export Action Plans (DEAPs) to address supply chain bottlenecks and promote exports.
DPIIT and NITI Aayog:
* Impact: Oversee the ODOP and "Vocal for Local" initiatives to foster regional development and promote local products.
* Action Required: Monitor the progress of Aspirational Blocks, select and promote products under ODOP, and collaborate with DGFT for export promotion.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry:
* Impact: Responsible for the overall implementation of the DEH initiative and the Export Promotion Mission (EPM).
* Action Required: Finalize the EPM based on feedback from relevant Ministries, organize outreach events, and provide support for exporters and MSMEs.
Key Entities Referenced
Nashik district in Maharashtra: A district in the state of Maharashtra, India, identified for its export potential under the Districts as Export Hubs initiative.
Districts as Export Hubs DEH: An initiative by the Government of India to promote exports from all districts in the country by identifying key products and providing support measures.
State Export Promotion Committee SEPC: An institutional mechanism established in all States/UTs, including Maharashtra, to promote exports.
District Export Promotion Committee DEPC: An institutional mechanism established at the District level to promote exports.
Niryat Bandhu Scheme: A scheme under which outreach events are organized across various districts nationwide to facilitate handholding and sensitization support to exporters and MSMEs.
Export Promotion Mission EPM: A mission announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 to address key bottlenecks faced by Indian exporters, especially MSMEs.
One District One Product ODOP: An Initiative of DPIIT aims to foster balanced regional development across all districts of the country.
Government eMarketplace GeM: An online platform where the ODOP GeM Bazaar was launched to promote nationwide sales and procurement of One District One Product items.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3896
ANSWERED ON 12/08/2025
Export Potential and Support Measures for Nashik under Districts as Export Hubs
3896. SHRI RAJABHAU PARAG PRAKASH WAJE:
Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री) be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government has identified export potential and key products under the
Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) initiative for all districts in the country, including Nashik district
in Maharashtra;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the products, services and sectors identified for
Nashik, such as grapes, onions, processed food and engineering goods including the support
measures taken to enhance export competitiveness;
(c) whether any district-level export promotion committees or training programmes for
MSMEs and farmer producer organisations have been implemented under the ‘Vocal for Local’
vision, specifically benefiting exporters and producers in Nashik; and
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the financial incentives, infrastructure upgradation or
market linkages planned to further boost Nashik’s contribution to India’s overall export basket
under the DEH framework?
ANSWER
वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्यमंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद)
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI JITIN PRASADA)
(a) & (b) The government has taken measures to identify export potential and promote
exports from the districts under the Districts as Export Hubs Initiative. It includes identifying
products and services with export potential in all districts of the country, in consultation with all
1stakeholders, including states/UTs. An institutional mechanism has been established in all
States/UTs, including Maharashtra, by forming the State Export Promotion Committee (SEPC)
and the District Export Promotion Committee (DEPC) at the District level. Under the initiative,
District Export Action Plans have been prepared for 590 districts, including that of Nashik,
detailing existing bottlenecks in the supply chain and identifying possible interventions to
mitigate existing gaps. The DEAPs include details about the export potential and key products
identified for that district under the DEH initiative.
The products identified for Nashik district include Nashik Grapes, Paithani Sarees, Nashik
Valley Wine, Raisin, Lasalgaon Onion, Electronics and Electrical components and
Pharmaceuticals. A complete list of state-wise districts and corresponding products/services may
be accessed www.dgft.gov.in/CP/. As part of the DEH initiative, outreach events are being
organised under the Niryat Bandhu Scheme across various districts nationwide. These outreach
programmes aim to facilitate handholding and sensitization support, in addition to onboarding to
digital e-commerce and logistics platforms, thereby equipping exporters and MSMEs with the
essential support required to effectively engage in international trade.
(c) & (d) Training programmes were held for the benefit of MSME exporters with focus on
“Unlocking India’s Export Potential: Navigate Latest Schemes & Strategy & Promotion of E-
COMMERCE under Niryat Bandhu Scheme”, held on March 18, 2025. Niryat Bandhu Seminar
was organized in Nashik on 18 July 2025 with the theme of Cross-Border Financing Solutions
and Export Incentives included discussions on unsecured post-shipment finance for Indian
exporters.
The Export Promotion Mission (EPM), announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, proposes to
address key bottlenecks faced by Indian exporters, especially MSMEs. It aims to strengthen
access to affordable and inclusive trade finance, addressing non-financial barriers that enhance
export quality and compliance with global standards, as well as provide logistics support and
institutional export support. Currently, the draft EFC note of the EPM has been prepared and
circulated to the relevant Ministries for their comments.
The 'Vocal for Local' initiative is part of Aspirational Blocks Programme of NITI Aayog where
the progress of Aspirational Blocks on 40 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across sectors
including indicator on “Vocal for Local” is monitored.
The One District One Product (ODOP) Initiative of DPIIT aims to foster balanced regional
development across all districts of the country. The idea of ODOP is to select, brand, and
promote at least One Product from each District of the country for enabling holistic growth
across all regions encompassing various sectors such as textiles, agriculture, food processing,
2handicrafts, and more. The ODOP Initiative has identified 1241 products from 773 districts
across the country.
ODOP GeM Bazaar: The ODOP GeM Bazaar was launched on the Government e-Marketplace
(GeM) on 29th August 2022 with the aim of promoting nationwide sales and procurement of
One District One Product (ODOP) items. Initially starting with over 210 product categories, the
platform has now expanded to include more than 500 categories, enhancing the visibility and
accessibility of ODOP products across the country.
DGFT Export Workshop: ODOP has partnered with DGFT to conduct export sensitization and
promotion workshops, designed to empower stakeholders with essential insights, tools, and
strategies for navigating global trade. These workshops are a vital step in preparing ODOP
stakeholders to leverage international markets effectively and drive India's export growth.
ODOP Catalogue: A digital ODOP Gift Catalogue has been launched, featuring over 1,000
products from across India. Additionally, a directory of more than 1500 Pan India ODOP
suppliers was also released.
Event/ Exhibitions (Domestic/ International): ODOP has been collaborating with Ministry of
External Affairs and Indian Missions abroad for the promotion of ODOP products at global
platforms. ODOP has participated in several international events including ODOP promotion and
business roundtable conducted in collaboration with EoI, Kazakhstan on 27th February 2025 and
The World Expo, Osaka, Sale events such as Incredible India fest in collaboration with CGI,
Hong Kong held on 15th -16th March 2025, Vasant Mela hosted by EoI, China held on 22nd
March 2025, Maldives Expo from 23rd – 31st May 2025, Indian Summer mela organized by EoI,
Russia from 5th – 13th July 2025.
PM Gatishakti - ODOP Experiential Centre: The Experiential Centre at Pragati Maidan, New
Delhi, is a curated space by DPIIT designed to showcase ODOP products from across India.
Representing the rich cultural and entrepreneurial diversity of the country, this platform serves to
enhance national visibility and market access for artisans and producers.
National ODOP Awards: To recognize and acknowledge the exceptional efforts made by the
States/UTs, Districts, and Missions abroad in achieving economic development through the
ODOP approach, the “One District One Product (ODOP) Awards” has been instituted by DPIIT
in 2023.
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