GI tag to goods from region brings hope of global success

Varanasi: The Geographical Indication (GI) tag recently awarded to four agricultural products of the eastern UP will open new agri-export opportunities, while Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has already taken the initiative to link two farming goods—Banarasi Langda mango and Ramnagar Bhanta (Brinjal) to the international market in 2020 and 2021. In 2020, considering the agri-export opportunities from the Purvanchal (eastern UP) region APEDA, ministry of commerce and industry, opened an office in Varanasi. While linking agri-produce to the international market, APEDA also identified the potential Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and linked them with GI experts and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). These FPOs include Jaya seed farmers producer company Ltd for Banarasi Langda Mango, Ishani agro farmer producer company for Aadamchini rice, Kashi Vishwanath farmer producer company Ltd for Ramnagar Bhanta and Namami Gange farmer producer company Ltd for Banarasi Paan.The APEDA regional head of UP, Bihar and Uttarakhand, C B Singh said all applicants were already registered with APEDA and actively involved in the agri-export supply chain from Purvanchal region. “The GI certification will give impetus to economic growth of FPOs by increasing their demand in national and international markets,” said Singh, adding that the ownership rights on natural resources and their byproducts can be safeguarded by GI tag. The provision of GI tags to the four agriculture commodities will help promote rural commercial ventures by means of wider access to markets. He claimed that continuous support and rigorous follow-ups of APEDA resulted in granting GI certificates to four agri commodities of any one division in a single shot. These goods include Banarasi Langda Mango, Banarasi Paan, Ramnagar Bhanta, and Adamchini rice of Chandauli district.With extremely delicious taste and quality, Banarasi Langda mango is in high demand in the international market, whereas Ramnagar bhanta with its greenish appearance, bulky size, and seedless variety too finds many takers. It is, however, yet to be introduced on several international platforms. Other agri-produce of Uttar Pradesh including Pratapgarh aonla and Muzaffarpur jaggery were also certified with GI Tag for unique character and taste. The GI tag signifies that products from a specific geographical location possess qualities that are due to that origin. The GI registration confers legal protection to agri products and prevents unauthorised use of a GI tag products by others. It also helps consumers get quality products of desired traits and and authenticity is guaranteed. It promotes the economic prosperity of producers of GI tag goods by enhancing their demand in national and international markets.