Akola’s cotton industry wins a national award under ODOP 2024, boosting Maharashtra’s gold medal win. The recognition opens export opportunities and affirms Akola’s industrial growth in cotton processing.
Akola | July 17, 2025: Maharashtra has emerged as a top performer in the ‘One District, One Product (ODOP) – 2024’ initiative, securing a gold medal in the ‘A’ category at the national level. Among the standout achievements, Akola district’s cotton processing industry has been awarded a special national honour, earning recognition for its significant contribution to industrial development and innovation in cotton production.
At a grand award ceremony held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal presented awards to the top-performing districts. Akola was recognized for excellence in ginning and pressing, a vital stage in the cotton supply chain. The award comes as a mark of distinction, especially since Akola is the only district in Maharashtra to win an award in the non-agricultural sector.
This recognition highlights Akola’s transformation through initiatives like the Maharashtra State Industrial Cluster Development Scheme, where a Common Facility Center was established in Borgaon Manju. Under schemes like the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) and the Chief Minister’s Employment Generation Programme, the cotton processing sector received a much-needed boost. This led to the formation of the Sangha Cluster, comprising 103 active members, now involved in activities ranging from raw cotton processing to textile manufacturing.
Maharashtra’s other districts such as Ratnagiri, Nagpur, Amravati, and Nashik also earned accolades for their excellence in agricultural and non-agricultural products, but Akola’s award underscores the potential of cotton as ‘white gold’ and opens the door for future export opportunities.
With over 100 ginning and pressing units and 4 spinning mills, Akola’s recognition is expected to benefit local farmers, entrepreneurs, and MSMEs, solidifying its place as a key player in India’s cotton value chain.
Follow us On Our Social media Handles :