Why in Broadcast?

• Recently GI tags were issued to Kumbum Panneer Thrachai Grapes, Nagari Dubraj Rice, Sharbati Wheat, Sundarja Mango and Morena’s Gajak. It was issued by the Geographical Indication Registry under the Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

About Geographical Indication

• Geographical indication (GI) is a sign or a name given to a certain product that relates to a specific geographical location or origins like a town, region or country.

Importance of GI tag

• GI tags are regarded as a certification that the particular product is produced as per traditional methods and it has certain specific qualities or it has a particular reputition because of its geographical origin.

Significance of GI in Rural Development

• Mostly traditional products which are produced by rural communities for generations and have gained fame in the market for their precise quality get GI tags.Impact on rural development can be as follows:

• Preservation of traditional expertise and traditions
• Supply chains can be built around a product’s reputation
• Higher price for the GI product
• Product’s natural resources or ingridents can be preserved.
• Tourism ecosystem system can be built.

Measures taken by Government to Promote GI tag in India

• Reduced fee structure for the registration of an authorised user of a registered Geographical Indication
• Social media campaigns launched like:

1. Gift a GI
2. Spot the GI

• DPITT and CII together launched a first-of-its-kind Geographical Indication Festival of India with an aim to provide a platform for GI producers to display their product virtually.

Recently Awarded GI Tags

Kumbum Panneer Thrachai Grapes:

• Kumbum Angoor, also known as Kumbum Panneer Thrachai, from Tamil Nadu has got GI tag.
• It accounts for 85% of the grapes grown in Tamil Nadu.
• The Cumbum Valley on the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu is known as the ‘Grape City of South India.

Nagari Dubraj Rice:

• Nagari Dubraj is an aromatic rice variety from Chhattisgarh.
• It is also known as “Basmati of Chhattisgarh”.

Sharbati Wheat:

• Sharbati wheat of Madhya Pradesh is mainly found in Sehore, Narsinghpur, Hoshangabad, Harda, Ashoknagar, Bhopal and Malwa.
• It is rich in many nutrients.
• It contains 1 gram of fat, fiber and 21 grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams of protein, 40 milligrams of calcium and 0.9 milligrams of iron with 113 grams of calories.

Sundarja Mango of Rewa:

• Sundarja mango has also been included in one district one product scheme of Rewa district, M.P.

Morena’s Gajak:

• Morena’s Gajak is 100 years old and good in taste.
• Its flavor has spread to many varieties including samosas, sonpatti, chikki and gujiya.