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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
