Exports of the iconic Banarasi saree have increased fivefold since the Uttar Pradesh government launched the One District, One Product (ODOP) scheme in 2018, providing a significant boost to Varanasi’s traditional weaving industry. The export growth has been supported by government initiatives aimed at strengthening the local weaving ecosystem. Under ODOP, artisans and traders have received access to subsidised loans, training programmes, machinery support and common processing facilities, helping them improve production capabilities and reach wider markets. According to officials at Varanasi’s District Industries Promotion and Entrepreneurship Development Centre, the Banarasi saree industry has recorded steady export growth since the scheme was introduced.
