Tamil Nadu's Authoor betel leaves get Geographical Indication (GI) certificate

Tags: Environment

Authoor betel leaves from Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu have been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) certificate by Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing Board and NABARD Madurai Agribusiness Incubation Forum.

An Overview of the News

• The Authoor Vattara Vetrilai Vivasayigal Sangam, a body representing growers of the Authoor betel leaf, has been awarded the GI certificate.

• This recognition as a Geographical Indication opens up new opportunities for the marketing of Authoor betel leaves.

• The certification allows author betel leaves to be marketed domestically and internationally, thereby increasing their reach in different markets.

• This recognition also highlights the marketing potential of Authoor betel leaves and paves the way for increased demand and popularity.

About the Authoor Betel leaves

• It is known for its spicy and pungent taste, and is especially used during special occasions such as temple festivals, housewarmings and weddings.

• This unique paan is exclusively found in the village of Authoor, located in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu. The presence of the Thamirabarani river, which provides water for irrigation, contributes to its cultivation in local farms.

• Authoor betel leaves are cultivated in a vast area of about 500 acres, which includes areas like Mukkani, Athoor, Korkai, Sagunthalai, Vellakoil and other Mukkani villages. These leaves are characterised by their long petioles and are available in three different varieties: natukodi, karpoori and pachaikodi.

• The cultural importance of Authoor Betel leaves in Tamil culture is highlighted by their mention in the 13th century book 'The Travels of Marco Polo (The Venetian)'. Furthermore, their historical value and importance can be seen in various ancient stone inscriptions.

Geographical Indication (GI) Tag:

• It is a form of intellectual property right granted to products to indicate their origin from a specific geographical area.

• This certification is awarded to products that have unique properties or a reputation closely associated with that particular area.

• To be eligible for a GI tag, a product must have a distinctive mark that indicates its origin from a specific geographical area.

• The responsibility of granting GI tag in India rests with the Geographical Indications Registry located in Chennai.