Chennai(Tamil Nadu) based Geographical Indications Registry has granted Geographical Indication(GI) tags to Bhaderwah Rajmash(Red kidney beans) and Ramban Sulai Honey of Jammu & Kashmir(J&K) and Chokuwa rice(Magic Rice) of Assam.
- Geographical Indication Registry functions under the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry(MoCI)
| State | GI Product | Goods |
|---|---|---|
| Jammu & Kashmir | Bhaderwah Rajmash (red kidney beans) | Agriculture |
| Ramban Sulai Honey | Agriculture | |
| Assam | Chokuwa Rice of Assam(Magic Rice) | Agriculture |
Bhaderwah Rajma:
i.Bhaderwah Rajmash(red kidney beans) smaller and distinct in texture is known for its unique taste and flavour globally.
- It is a pole type or trailing variety cultivated along with Maize to reduce soil erosion.
ii.It is cultivated in the districts of Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar in Jammu.
ii.Application was made by Bhaderkashi Fruits Producer Company Limited in (J&K) & facilitated by Directorate of Agriculture Production & Farmers Welfare(Jammu) and NABARD(J&K).
Sulai honey:
i.Sulai honey (extracted from Van Tulsi) is known for its taste apart from unique aroma & benefits in comparison with other honey.
- Sulai honey is crystal clear in appearance and colour ranges from white to Amber.
ii.It is cultivated in the districts of Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Reasi in Jammu
iii.Application was made by Al Fallah Farmer Producer Company Limited and facilitated by the Department of Horticulture( Jammu) and NABARD (J&K).
iv.In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had gifted organic Sulai honey to Queen Elizabeth.
Note: Bhaderwah Rajma & Sulai honey hold significance in the Chenab Valley region of J&K.
Chokuwa rice:
i.Chokuwa Rice of Assam is known as Magic rice because of its ‘soak and eat’ characteristics.
- It belongs to the traditional Sali rice variety and has a low amylose content.
- Other names: Soft Rice; Locally known as “Komal Chaul” .
ii.It is cultivated in the districts of Tinsukia, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Nagaon, Morigaon, and Sonitpur in Assam
iii.Application to GI tag was made by: Seuj Satirth of Dimow from Sivsagar (Assam) & facilitated by Assam Agricultural University.
Additional Info:
In 2020, NABARD initiated the process of GI tagging for nine products in close collaboration with the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom(J&K) as well as the Department of Agriculture(J&K).
- Out of the 9 products, six products (including Bhaderwah Rajmash & Sulai honey received GI tag so far.
Recent Related News:
On 29th March 2023, Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra Tea got a European Union(EU) Geographical Indication Tag (GI Tag). This will offer an opportunity for the Kangra tea to enter the European Market.
About Geographical Indication(GI) Tag
i.Geographical Indication (GI) is a type of intellectual property right that recognizes products that come from a particular place and possess special qualities, characteristics, and features associated with that area. Unauthorized use of these products are protected.
ii.India enacted the Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, to provide for the registration and better protection of GI relating to goods in India, which came into force from September 2003.
iii.GI is registered for an initial 10 years, which may be renewed from time to time.
