News Highlight
Five agricultural products of Kerala have been granted Geographical Indication GI status.
Key Takeaway
- The Kerala Agricultural University, the Department of Agriculture, and local farmer organisations collaborated to achieve this success.
- The unique features of the products, imparted by the agro-climatic conditions of the geographical area of their production, are the basis for getting GI status.
Kerala’s five agricultural products that have been given GI status
- Attappady Attukombu Avarai (beans)
- Firstly, it is cultivated in the Attappady region of Palakkad and is curved like a goat’s horn, as its name indicates.
- Its higher anthocyanin content than other Dolichos beans imparts violet colour in the stem and fruits.
- In addition, anthocyanin is helpful against cardiovascular diseases, along with its anti-diabetic properties.
- Other than this, calcium, protein, and fibre content are also high.
- Attappady Thuvara (red gram)
- It has seeds with a white coat.
- Compared to other red grams, Attappady Thuvara seeds are bigger and have higher seed weights.
- This delicious red gram, used as a vegetable and dal, is rich in protein, carbohydrates, fibre, calcium and magnesium.
- Onattukara Ellu (sesame)
- Onattukara Ellu and its oil are famous for their unique health benefits.
- The relatively higher antioxidant content in Onattukara Ellu helps fight the free radicals, which destroy the body cells.
- Moreover, the high content of unsaturated fat makes it beneficial for heart patients.
- Kodungalloor Pottuvellari (snap melon)
- It is cultivated in Kodungalloor, and parts of Ernakulam are consumed as juice and other forms.
- In addition, it is harvested in summer and is excellent for quenching thirst.
- It contains a high amount of Vitamin C.
- Compared to other vegetables, Kodungalloor Pottuvellari has higher levels of nutrients like calcium, magnesium, fibre, and fat.
- Kanthalloor-Vattavada Veluthulli (garlic)
- Firstly, it is produced from the Kanthalloor-Vattavada area of Devikulam block panchayat in Idukki.
- It contains a higher amount of sulphides, flavonoids, and proteins.
- It is rich in allicin, which is effective against microbial infections, blood sugar, cancer, cholesterol, heart diseases, and damage to blood vessels.
- Furthermore, the garlic cultivated in this area is also rich in essential oil.
Geographical Indication tag
- What is GI Tag?
- Firstly, a GI is a name or a sign given to certain products that relate to a specific geographical location or origins like a region, town or country.
- Geographical indications are frequently used for meals, beverages, agricultural goods, crafts, and industrial goods.
- GI Tag ensures that the popular product name can only be used by those registered as authorised users.
- A sign must identify a product from a specific location to function as a GI.
- Benefits of GI Tags
- Firstly, products are legally protected.
- Prevents others from using GI tag products without permission.
- In addition, it enables consumers to obtain high-quality products with desired characteristics while ensuring authenticity.
- Increases the economic prosperity of GI tag goods producers by increasing their demand in national and international markets.
- Rural development impacts of GI
- The supply chain is organised around a shared product reputation.
- Price increases and price stability for the GI product
- Value is added when it is distributed at all levels of the supply chain.
- Natural resources on which the product is based can be preserved.
- Traditions and traditional expertise must be preserved.
- Furthermore, tourism can be improved.
Geographical Indications in India
- Firstly, the GI tag conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness primarily attributable to its origin in that specified geographical locality, region, or country.
- In addition, geographical Indication tags are considered Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
- They are also covered under Articles 22 to 24 of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement (TRIPS).
- The product from West Bengal, Darjeeling Tea, was accorded the first GI tag in India in 2004-05.
- So far, India has more than 300 geographical indications.
Way Forward
- If the origin of a product cannot be effectively traced, either both states should be given ownership, or none of the regions should be given the GI tag.
- The geographical indications label should only be assigned after a thorough historical and empirical investigation.
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Content Source: The Hindu