EXPORTS OF GI CERTIFIED GHOLVAD SAPOTA: MAHARASHTRA
WHY IN NEWS?
A consignment of Dahanu Gholvad sapota has been exported to the United Kingdom from Maharashtra’s Palghar district, providing a major boost to shipments of Geographical Indication (GI) certified products from India.
Sapota (Chikoo) is grown in many states- Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.
Karnataka is known to be the highest grower of the fruit, followed by Maharashtra.
ABOUT GHOLVAD SAPOTA:
The fruit is known for its sweet and unique taste. It is believed that the unique taste is derived from calcium rich soil of Gholvad village in Palghar district (Maharashtra).
OTHER GI CERTIFIED PRODUCTS FROM MAHARASHTRA:
Alphonso Mango, Puneri Pagadi, Nashik Valley Wine, Mahabaleshwar Strawberry, Warli Painting.
GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION (GI) CERTIFICATION:
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, 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.
Shahi Litchi from Bihar has been exported to the United Kingdom.
India is the second largest producer of litchi (Litchi chin) in the world, after China.
Earlier, a consignment of GI certified Banganapalli & Survarnarekha mangoes sourced from farmers in Krishna & Chittor districts of Andhra Pradesh was exported to South Korea.