Geographical Indication (GI) Tags for Agricultural Products

On March 1st, 2019, the Geographical Indications Registry has granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag to Coorg Arabica Coffee (Karnataka), Wayanad Robusta Coffee (Kerala), Chikmagalur Arabica Coffee (Karnataka), Araku Valley Arabica Coffee (Andhra Pradesh) and Bababudangiri Arabica Coffee (Karnataka).

• Also, Tamil Nadu Erode Turmeric and Marayoor Jaggery in the Idukki district of Kerala got GI Tag status.
• Areca nut gets its first GI Tag for ‘Sirsi Supari’ (Uttara Kannada, Karnataka).

GI Tag to New Products

• Palani Panchamirtham (Tamil Nadu): Palani Panchamirtham a ‘prasadam’ or religious offering in temple, has been allotted a GI, in a first.
• Tawlhlohpuan (Mizoram): It is a fine quality fabric woven in Mizoram.
• Mizo Puanchei (Mizoram): It is essentially a shawl, considered the most colourful textile in the northeastern states.
• Tirur Betel Leaf (Kerala): It is cultivated in Malappuram district of Kerala, and is valued for its medicinal and cultural usages.
• Gulbarga Tur Dal (Karnataka): Also called Kalaburagi red gram, it has a good taste and aroma compared to that grown elsewhere. It also takes less time to cook. Calcium and potassium content of the soil in Gulbarga tur dal-growing region has been one of the major factors for its superior quality.
• Dindigul Locks (Tamil Nadu): The famous Dindigul locks are known throughout the world for their superior quality and durability, so much so that even the city is called Lock City.
• Kandangi Saree (Tamil Nadu): The Kandangi saree, manufactured in Karaikudi taluk in Sivaganga district, manually made using a winding machine, loom, shuttle and bobbin. These sarees are characterised by brilliant colours like bright yellow, orange, red and a minimal black in the traditional pattern of stripes or checks with broad contrast borders woven in coarse cotton.