In a significant push towards digital inclusion, the Odisha government is collaborating with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to dramatically expand e-commerce participation among small businesses, farmers, self-help groups, and traditional artisans across the state.
Senior officials from the ONDC team today made a detailed presentation before Chief Secretary Smt. Anu Garg, outlining strategies to onboard micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), SHGs under Mission Shakti, handloom weavers, handicraft artisans, and local vendors onto the ONDC network.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary (Electronics & IT) Vishal Kumar Dev and senior secretaries from Commerce & Transport, Agriculture, Tourism, Handlooms & Handicrafts, Fisheries, and Forest & Environment departments.ONDC, a flagship initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, aims to democratise digital commerce by creating an open, interoperable network that connects buyers and sellers without platform monopolies. The network currently facilitates nearly 2 crore digital transactions every month across retail, logistics, financial services, and mobility sectors.
Key Opportunities for Odisha
The ONDC team highlighted how the platform can give Odisha’s unique products and experiences national and global visibility:
- Tourism Boost: Iconic destinations like Konark, Puri, Chilika Lake, Similipal, Bhitarkanika, and eco-tourism sites, along with tribal culture, can be seamlessly listed for direct online booking, attracting more domestic and international tourists.
- Direct Market Access: Local tour operators, homestay owners, Mission Shakti groups, weavers, and MSME entrepreneurs will be able to sell directly to buyers across India, bypassing middlemen.
- Economic Impact: Increased market reach is expected to generate higher incomes, create rural employment, and strengthen Odisha’s brand identity at the national level.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg stressed the need for close collaboration with ONDC to resolve barriers in e-commerce adoption and market penetration. She emphasised making the platform more effective than traditional e-commerce marketplaces for small sellers by providing greater visibility and simpler business growth opportunities.
She also encouraged the integration of Odisha’s eco-tourism and heritage sites into the ONDC network to enhance discoverability and offer convenient online booking facilities for travellers nationwide.
This partnership marks a strategic step towards inclusive digital growth, aiming to bring Odisha’s rich cultural, artisanal, and natural wealth to millions of consumers across the country.
