After getting the GI tag to Malihabadi Dusheri mango of Uttar Pradesh, the Union Agriculture Ministry has started preparations to make some more mangoes in Uttar Pradesh special. Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow, which works under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), has started efforts to get this recognition to the state's special heritage Gaurjeet, Banarsi Langa and Chausa in collaboration with UP Mandi Council.
Director of the Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Dr Shailendra Rajan says that these mangoes of Uttar Pradesh have no match. But due to lack of GI registration, their good market is not being created in the country and abroad.
Once these mangoes get GI tag, then there will be more ease in making the market. It will also help farmers to get good mango prices. It is possible to get a good price for the producers of these mangoes by getting GI tag or special geographical identification and the unauthorized use of this name by the mango growers of other regions will prevent the marketing of their fruits by other names.
At this time, in addition to Malihabad, Mal and Kasori Dussehra, 9 mango species have got GI registration. These include Alphonso of Ratnagiri, Saffron in Gir (Gujarat), Saffron in Marathwada, Bangnapalli in Andhra Pradesh, Jardalu in Bhagalpur, Appimadi of Shimoga in Karnataka, Himsagar of Malda (Bengal), Laxman Bhog and Fazli have got this distinction. It is now an attempt to get this recognition to Gaurjeet, Banarsi Langa and Chausa from UP.
Geographical Indication (GI) is used for products that have a specific place of origin. The distinctive feature and reputation of these products are due to the production from a particular region. This indication assures product quality and origin of production. A 'Geographical Indication Tag' or geographical indicator means that no person, institution or government can use the famous name of this product other than an authorized user. In India, the Geographical Indicators (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 came into effect from September 2003. The Act defines GIs as "geographical indicators".
Farmers face less competition during marketing after an item, fruit or produce gets GI certification. Once a fruit gets GI registration, then its name becomes enough. GI can also be considered a standard of quality. Agricultural scientists say that there is not enough awareness for GI products in India right now. Therefore, there is a need to conduct awareness campaigns in this direction, so that farmers can get benefits.
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