Kerala Leads in GI Tags for Unique Local Products in FY 2022-23

Tags: State News

According to data shared by the GI Registry, Kerala received the highest number of Geographical Indication (GI) tags for products among all states in India in the fiscal year 23 (FY23).

An Overview of the News

• Several products from Kerala have been recognized with the GI tag, includingAttappadi Attucombu avara (beans), Attappadi thuvara (red gram), Onattukara elu (sesame), Kanthalloor vattavada veluthulli (garlic), and Kodungallur pottuvellari (snap melon).

• Apart from six products from Kerala, the Geographical Indications (GI) Registry selected Mithila Makhana (aquatic fox nut) from Bihar and Alibaug white onion from Maharashtra for GI recognition tag.

• Tandoor Redgram, a local variety of pea, from Telangana, Ladakh Raktse Carpo Apricot from Ladakh, and Gamosa handicraft from Assam were also selected for GI recognition.

About GI Tag Recognition 2022-23

• For the period between April 2022 and March 2023, a total of 12 products were selected for GI recognition, including two foreign ones - Brandy de Jerez from Spain and Provolone Valpadana from Italy.

• In the last financial year (FY22), 50 products were selected for GI recognition, with Uttar Pradesh having the highest number of GI tags (seven), followed by Uttarakhand with six.

• The products from Uttar Pradesh selected for GI recognition in FY22 include Chunar Glaze Pottery, Banaras Zardozi, Mirzapur Pital Barton, Banaras Wood Carving, Banaras Hand Block Print, Rataul Aam and Mau Saree.

• Aipan, Munsiyari Rajma, Uttarakhand handicraft Ringal Shilp, Tamta, Thulma (handicraft) and Kumaon chiura oil from Uttarakhand were selected for GI recognition in FY22 in Uttarakhand.

• Kanyakumari cloves, Kallakurichi wood carvings, Karuppur Kalamkari paintings, and Narasimhapettai Nagaswaram were some of the products that were selected for GI recognition from Tamil Nadu in the last financial year.

About GI Tag

• It is the short form of Geographical Indication and it is a unique identification of any region, town or state.

• The tag is given in the name of certain products or signs that symbolise the uniqueness of that particular region.

• When a GI tag is given to a particular product, it certifies that the product is made by traditional methods, has special qualities.

• The Geographical Indication came into force on 15 September 2003.

• Darjeeling tea was given the first GI tag in India in 2004–2005.

• GI tag is given to products related to agriculture, handicrafts, food items, spirit drinks and industrial products.

• The rules and regulations of the GI tag are governed by the World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights at the international level.