Challenges Faced by Small and Cottage Industries under the ODOP Scheme: An Empirical Study

The Government of India's One District One Product (ODOP) program is a major effort to support small and cottage industries by supporting products that are particular to each district, boosting local entrepreneurship, and creating jobs. Even if they have a lot of promise, small and cottage businesses that are part of the ODOP plan nevertheless have a lot of problems that make it hard for them to grow and stay in business. This paper looks at the main problems that small and cottage companies experience under the ODOP plan through an empirical investigation. The research utilizes primary data gathered from a cohort of ODOP-registered entrepreneurs through a standardized questionnaire, complemented by secondary sources including government papers and prior studies. The results show that ODOP beneficiaries suffer a lot of problems, such as not having enough money, not being able to get credit, not getting enough help with marketing and branding, not having access to new technology, not having the right skills, and having to deal with complicated paperwork. Also, problems with infrastructure, digital literacy, and market connections make it even harder to carry out the plan. The study shows that there is a need for more focused legislative changes, better assistance from institutions, programs to enhance skills, and better communication between government agencies and local business owners. By dealing with these problems, the ODOP system can work much better and help small and cottage companies in India grow in a way that lasts