The Geographical Indication (GI) Tag has been granted by the Government of India (GoI) to 9 new products from different states, including the Attappady Aattukombu Avara, Alibag White Onion, Raktsey Karpo Apricot, Tandur Redgram, and Gamosa of Assam.
- Out of the 9 GI tags that are granted, five are for products from Kerala.
- This brings the total number of GI tags in India to 432, of which 401 are for products with Indian origin and 31 are for products with foreign origin.
Products That Have Received The GI Tag (December 14, 2022)
| S.No | Product | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Assamese Gamocha | Assam |
| 2 | Alibag White Onion | Maharashtra |
| 3 | Tandur Redgram | Telangana |
| 4 | Raktsey Karpo Apricot | Ladakh |
| 5 | Attappady Thuvara (Attappady red gram) | Kerala |
| 6 | Kanthalloor Vattavada Garlic (Kanthalloor Vattavada Veluthulli) | Kerala |
| 7 | Kodungallur Snap Melon (Kodungallur Pottuvellari) | Kerala |
| 8 | Attappady Aattukombu Dolichos Bean [Attappady Aattukombu Avara] | Kerala |
| 9 | Onattukara Sesame (Onattukara Ellu) | Kerala |
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Description About the Products That Have Received The GI Tag  Â
Assamese Gamocha   Â
The GoI has awarded the GI tag to ‘Gamocha’ or Gamosa, a symbol of Assamese culture and identity, five years after the initial application in 2017.
- The “gamocha” is a handwoven rectangular cotton fabric with red borders that is worn by both men and women in all puja and “nam prasang” rituals in Assam.
Alibag White Onion, Maharashtra Â
The Alibag White Onion is a traditional kind of white onion grown in the Alibag tehsil of Raigad district, Maharashtra.
- This onion does not have a strong odour like other onions on the market and it has a sweet flavour.
Tandur Redgram, Telangana
Tandur Redgram is a traditional crop in the rain-fed region of Telangana.
- It has a protein content of about 22–24%, which is almost 3 times that of cereals.
Raktsey Karpo Apricot, Ladakh
The Raktsey Karpo Apricot from Ladakh has a special seed with white seed stones.
- In contrast, apricots contain brown seed stones all over the world.
Attappady Thuvara (Attappady red gram), Kerala Â
The Attappady Thuvara is a significant traditional crop of the Attappady tribal region in the Palakkad district of Kerala.
- It is a woody shrub that is typically grown as an annual crop.
Kanthalloor Vattavada Garlic (Kanthalloor Vattavada Veluthulli), Kerala
Kanthalloor Vattavada Veluthulli (garlic) is a traditional garlic grown in prominent cultivation areas such as Kanthalloor and Vattavada panchayats in Kerala.
- Compared to garlic from other places, garlic from this region is renowned for having a distinctive flavour, pungency, taste, and extended shelf life.
The two primary varieties of garlic grown in Kanthalloor and Vattavada are Sigappuppoondu (also known as Singapoondu) and Malaippoondu.
Kodungallur Snap Melon (Kodungallur Pottuvellari), Kerala
Kodungallur Pottuvellari (Kodungallur snap melon) is grown for its fully mature fruit, which is used to make juice in Kerala.
- It is consumed as a vegetable in several states.
Attappady Aattukombu Dolichos Bean [Attappady Aattukombu Avara], Kerala
Tribal farmers in Kerala cultivate the Attappady Aattukombu Avara.
Onattukara Sesame (Onattukara Ellu), Kerala
Onattukara Ellu is one of the oldest and most traditional annual oilseed crops grown in Kerala’s Onattukara region.
Note:
The District Tourism Promotion Council of Kozhikode in Kerala has applied for a GI tag for the renowned Beypore Uru (boat), a wooden dhow (ship/sailing boat/sailing vessel) handmade by experienced artisans and carpenters in Beypore, Kerala.
Key Points:
i.The top 5 states with the most GI tags are Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, followed by Kerala (35), Uttar Pradesh (34), and Maharashtra (31).
ii.Some of the famous products that carry GI tag: Basmati rice, Darjeeling Tea (West Bengal), Chanderi Fabric (Madhya Pradesh), Mysore Silk (Karnataka), Kullu Shawl (Himachal Pradesh), Kangra Tea (Himachal Pradesh), Thanjavur Paintings (Tamil Nadu), Allahabad Surkha Guava (Uttar Pradesh), Farrukhabad Prints (Uttar Pradesh), Lucknow Zardozi (Uttar Pradesh) and Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving (Jammu & Kashmir).
Note:
The GoI recently approved a 3-year spending of Rs. 75 crores for promotion at awareness activities in support of GIs.
GI Tag Overview: India and the World
i.Geographic Indication (GI), which is recognized by the World Trade Organization (WTO), is a term that refers to a product’s primary place of origin, whether it be a manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods), a natural product, or an agricultural product.
- The products express promises of quality, originality, and characteristics that are specific to that geographic region/place of origin.
ii.India, as a member of the WTO, enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999, which has come into force with effect from September 15, 2003.
- A GI registry has been formed under the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks, DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade), MoC&I (Ministry of Commerce and Industry), to administer the GI of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, to protect the GI of goods.
iii.A GI tag can be applied by any association of persons, producers, organizations, or authorities established by or under the law.
Recent Related News:
In October 2022, Hyderabadi Haleem won the National Intellectual Property Awards 2021 & 2022 under the ‘Most Popular Geographical Indications (GI) of India’ (Food stuff) category. Hyderabadi Hallem won the award in competition against 17 food items with GI status from across India including Rasgulla, Bikaneri Bhujia and Ratlami Sev.
About the World Trade Organization (WTO):
WTO is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations.
Director-General – Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Establishment – 1995
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
Members – 164 Members
