BHALIA WHEAT

Recently, the first shipment of Geographical Indication (GI) certified Bhalia variety of wheat was exported to Kenya and Sri Lanka from Gujarat.

Important points:

The Bhalia variety of wheat received GI certification in July, 2011.
This Wheat has high protein content and is sweet in taste.
This crop is grown mostly across the Bhal region of Gujarat which includes Ahmedabad, Anand, Kheda, Bhavanagar, Surendranagar, Bharuch districts.
This variety is grown in the rainfed condition without irrigation.

Geographical Indication Status:

GI is an indication used to identify goods having special characteristics originating from a definite geographical territory.
It is used for agricultural, natural and manufactured goods.
The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India.
The Act is administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and TradeMarks- who is the Registrar of Geographical Indications.
The Geographical Indications Registry is located at Chennai.
The registration of a geographical indication is valid for a period of 10 years. It can be renewed from time to time for a further period of 10 years each.
It is also a part of the World Trade Organisation’s Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
Recent Examples: Jharkhand’s Sohrai Khovar painting, Telangana’s Telia Rumal, Tirur Vetilla (Kerala), Dindigul Lock and Kandangi Saree (Tamil Nadu), Odisha Rasagola, Shahi Litchi (Bihar), etc.
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA – Ministry of Commerce and Industry) has a focus on promotion of exports of GI products.
Recently, a consignment of Dahanu Gholvad sapota was exported from Maharashtra’s Palghar district.

SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT

Post Views: 39