Agra’s paratha added to UP’s ‘1 district 1 cuisine’ scheme

Agra: Agra’s famous paratha has been included in the UP govt’s ‘One District One Cuisine’ (ODOC) scheme, which aims to promote traditional dishes from each of the state’s 75 districts.

With this inclusion, Agra now has four products under the initiative -- petha, gajak, dalmoth and paratha.Known for their large size, Agra’s parathas are cooked on heavy tawas and fried in desi ghee until crisp. The dish is popular at eateries and roadside stalls across the city, particularly in areas such as Belanganj, Bijlighar and Mantola.Under the ODOC scheme, traders and food entrepreneurs will receive support to expand production, while small and large food vendors will be linked with online food delivery platforms to help them reach wider markets in India and abroad, officials said.

The initiative is also expected to create employment opportunities.Speaking to TOI, deputy commissioner at the District Industries and Enterprise Promotion Centre, Shailendra Singh, said all possible support would be extended to help traders gain wider recognition under the scheme. “The govt will provide assistance of up to Rs 20 lakh for improving product quality, packaging and branding. Traders and vendors will also receive specialised training through various departments to help expand their businesses,” he said.