In a moment of pride for Maharashtra, Ratnagiri district has won the Gold Medal in the prestigious national One District One Product (ODOP) Awards 2024, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on July 14. The award recognizes Ratnagiri’s Alphonso mango globally renowned for its rich taste and premium quality as the top-performing product in the agriculture category.
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, along with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and MoS Jitin Prasada, felicitated the award winners. Ratnagiri stood out among 641 entries from 31 states and union territories, with 60 districts ultimately shortlisted by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
The Alphonso mango from Ratnagiri was honored for its high export potential, GI (Geographical Indication) certification, and the district’s comprehensive efforts in developing export guidelines, grievance redressal mechanisms, and efficient regulatory frameworks.
The award was received by District Collector M. Devender Singh, Deputy Director of Industries (Konkan) Viju Sirsath, and DIC General Manager Ajinkya Ajagekar on behalf of the district.
Ratnagiri was among five districts from Maharashtra that received national ODOP awards, alongside Nashik, Amravati, Nagpur, and Akola. Maharashtra’s strong performance earned it recognition in the Golden Category, reflecting the state’s focus on quality production and innovation.
The ODOP initiative, a flagship program of the Government of India, aims to promote unique products from each district, enhance local economies, and fulfill the vision of a self-reliant India. DPIIT and Invest India conducted on-ground verifications in December 2024 to validate product claims, processes, and stakeholder involvement.
The success of Ratnagiri’s Alphonso mango is the result of a collaborative effort led by officials such as Development Commissioner Dipendra Singh Kushwah, District Agriculture Officer Shivkumar Sadafule, and researchers from Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli. Local cooperatives, women’s self-help groups (SHGs), and agri-entrepreneurs also played a crucial role.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and local Guardian Minister Dr. Uday Samant were acknowledged for their guidance and support. The district also topped state rankings in employment generation through central and state schemes in 2023–24 and 2024–25.
This national recognition is expected to open new markets, boost exports, generate employment, and drive overall economic growth in the region.
