Sirsi Supari

• 14 Mar 2019

Why is it in News?

‘Sirsi Supari’, grown in Uttara Kannada has become the 1^st product from the arecanut sector to get a Geographic Indication (GI) tag.

About Sirsi Supari:

• ‘Sirsi Supari’ arecanut is grown in Sirsi, Siddpaur and Yellapur taluks of Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka.
• Sirsi Supari is medium-sized, round in shape, close to the color of ash with hard seed.
• The annual production of Sirsi Supari is estimated to be around 40,000 tonnes grown on an area of nearly 40,000 acres.

What makes Sirsi Supari different?

• Sirsi Supari is said to be unique in taste from arecanuts grown in other parts of the country due to the differences in the chemical composition of different arecanuts.
• The arecanut grown in these taluks have unique features like a round and flattened coin shape, particular texture, size, cross-sectional views, taste, etc. These features are not seen in arecanut grown in any other regions.
• The total average flavonoid content in Sirsi Supari is around 90 whereas in others it is around 80.

What is a Geographical Indication Tag?

The World Intellectual Property Organisation defines GI as a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.

GI Tag finds mention under the TRIPS (Trade related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) of WTO.

Registrar of Geographical Indicators under Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trademarks (Ministry of Commerce) look into the issues of GI.

Darjeeling Tea became the first product to get a GI Tag in India in 2004-05; 343 had been added to the list of GI tags in India since then.

Other Examples of GI Tag:

• Bhagalpuri Silk of Bhagalpur
• Sujini Embroidery of Bihar
• Tangaliya Shawl of Gujarat
• Kadaknath Black Chicken of Madhya Pradesh

Source: TH