This article has been written by Ms. Manisha kumari, a 2nd year student of the campus law centre, University of Delhi.
Abstract
India is known for its rich and diverse horticulture, with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables grown across the country. These fruits and vegetables are vital to the nation’s health and well-being, in addition to supporting the agricultural economy of the nation. This impacts not only food chain but also millions Indian’s livelihood and culture, as they rely on the biodiversity and climate change of their area. To protect and promote the unique qualities of these agricultural products, the Government of India introduced the concept of Geographical Indications (GI) tags. To avoid misleading the public and prevent from unfair competition, GIs must be protected. Among horticultural crops, maximum GIs have been accorded to fruit crops (36) followed by vegetable crops (11). A geographical indication is not required to have reciprocal protection with other countries unless it is protected in the country of origin. This means that the efforts made by public and quasi-public institutions to obtain GI tags are important for protecting, taking advantage of market opportunities, and facilitating better returns to legitimate rural producers from origin-linked reputed products.
Introduction
India is the second-largest fruit producer in the world, growing a vast variety of fruits in diverse geographical zones. In the field of horticulture, fruits and vegetables are essential for complete Indian diet, after cereals. In Indian cuisine, vegetables are important ingredients which added nutritional values the recipes. In the same way, fruits are also important for a nutritious diet for healthy well-being. Essential vitamins, minerals, and plant chemicals can be found in fruits and vegetables. They have fiber as well. Fruits and vegetables come in a wide range of varieties, and there are numerous methods for preparing, cooking, and serving them as a healthy diet.
Geographical indications are names or signs that are applied to specific products that are associated with a particular geographical location or origin, such as a town, region, or nation. Geographical indicators fall under the purview of IPRs as defined by Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, specifically Articles 1(2) and 10. Additionally, they fall under the purview of Articles 22 through 24 of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement, which was a component of the agreements that concluded the GATT Uruguay Round of negotiations. The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act was passed by India in 1999 as a World Trade Organization (WTO) member, and it went into effect on September 15, 2003. A GI tag is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. It is an indication that the product is unique and has certain characteristics that are closely associated with its place of origin. In the case of fruits and vegetables, GI tags are used to identify and protect the distinctiveness and quality of specific varieties grown in particular regions of India.
Significance of GIs
This shows the community’s intellectual property associated with that particular product and prevents unauthorized use by others. It’s not just a matter of pride but also of strength. Quality and uniqueness help the community set a higher price for the product, thereby helping consumers get quality products with desired characteristics. This continues to provide equitable sharing of intellectual property rights to farmers and places of origin, enhancing the agricultural community both socially and economically. The card creates a distinct identity and creates an international market for it. Products recognized for their nutritional or scientific importance nationally and globally. It also plays an important role in conserving specific biodiversity in a particular location.
Horticultural crops have received the most attention out of all the crops in agriculture, with fruit crops receiving the majority of GI tags. The fruits that have bagged the most GI tags are mango, citrus, and banana. Fruit crop elite clones, including custard apple, guava, strawberry, pineapple, litchi, grape, kokum, and fig; have also been awarded GI tags. Among the vegetable crops, the most GI tags are on onions, followed by brinjal and chili.
List of GI tags accorded to horticultural crops
Crops Name State Specific Character
Fruits Crops (36)
Laxman Bhog Mango Fruit Quality
Mango Khirsapati (Himsagar) Mango West Bengal Fruit Quality
Fazil Mango of Malda Fruit Quality
Mango Mallihabad Dusseheri Uttar Pradesh Fruit Quality
Appemidi Mango Karnataka Pickle Making
Gir Kesar Mango Gujarat Fruit Quality
Marathwada Kesar Mango Maharashtra High pulp content and shelf life
Baiganapalli Mango Andhra Pradesh
Jaradalu Mango Bihar Thin peel and aroma
Croog Orange (Citrus reticulate) Karnataka Fruit Quality
Nagpur Orange (Citrus reticulate) Maharashtra Fruit Quality
Arunachal Orange (Citrus reticulate) Arunachal Pradesh Fruit Quality
Citrus Khasi Mandrine (Citrus reticulate) Meghalaya Fruit Quality
Jalna Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) Maharashtra Sweetness and juice content
Devanahalli Pamelo (Citrus grandis) Karnataka Pink flesh
Kachai Lemon (Citrus jambhiri) Manipur Flavor, Vitamin content, juice Quality
Memang Narang
(Indian Wild Orange- Citrus Indica) Meghalaya Medicinal value
Nanjangud Banana Karnataka Fruit Quality
Virupakshi Hill Banana Tamil Nadu Flavor and shelf life
Sirumalai Hill Banana Flavor and shelf life
Banana Chengalikodan Nendran Banana Kerala Taste, bunch shape and fruit color
Kamlapur Red Banana Karnataka Medicinal properties and low sugar content
Jalgaon Banana Maharashtra Fruit Quality and Shelf life
Nashik Grapes Maharashtra Berry color and quality
Grapes Banganlore Blue Grapes Karnataka Foxy flavor
Sangli Raisins Maharashtra Quality
Pineapple Tripura Queen Pineapple Tripura Fruit Quality
Vazhakulam pineapple (Queen) Kerala Sweetness and Flavor
Litchi Tezpur Litchi Assam Fruit color and aril quality
Shahi Litchi Bihar
Strawberry Mahabaleshwar Strawberry Maharashtra Fruit quality
Guava Allahabad Surkha Uttar Pradesh Pulp color and quality
Custard Apple Beed Custard Apple Maharashtra Sweetness
Fig Purandar Fig Maharashtra Size, color, taste and Fe content
Pomegranate Solahpur Pomegranate Maharashtra Fruit quality and antioxidant quality
Sapota Dahanu Gholvad Chikoo Maharashtra Unique taste
Kokum Sindhudurg & Ratnagiri Kokum Maharashtra
Vegetable crops (11)
Chilli Naga Mircha (capcicum chinense) Nagaland High pungency
Guntur Sannam Chilli (capcicum annum) Andhra Pradesh Pungency and color
Byadagi Chilli (capcicum annum) Karnataka color, mild pungency, oleoresin
Mizo Bird’s Eye Chilli (capcicum chinense) Mizoram Pungency
Bhiwapur Chilli Maharashtra
Brinjal Udupi Mattu Gulla Brinjal Karnataka Unique taste
Jalgaon Brinjal Maharashtra
Bean Waghya Ghevada Maharashtra Taste and rich in protein
Onion Bangalore Rose Onion Karnataka Bulb Shape and pungency
Lasalgaon Onion Maharashtra Aroma, shelf life, color
Tree Tomato Naga Tree Tomato (cyphomandra Betacea) Nagaland Pickle, Chutney
Indian Fruits with GI Tags
Mango
The most well-known examples of fruits with GI tags is the Gir Kesar mango from Gujarat, the Malda mango from West Bengal, and the Himachali apple from Himachal Pradesh are some other fruits that have been granted GI tags. These tags not only help in distinguishing these fruits from their counterparts grown in other regions but also provide assurance to consumers about their authenticity and quality.
Gir Kesar Mango is a fruit grown in the Girnar foothills that were designated as a geographical indication in 2011. The Kesar mango is one of India’s most popular varieties of mango, as well as one of the most expensive.
Jardalu mango is a unique product from Bhagalpur, Bihar. This mango variety is known for its light yellow skin and special aroma. The application for GI tag was moved by Jardalu Aam Utpadak Sangh, Madhuban, Maheshi village under Sultanganj block of Bhagalpur district. The Jardalu mango was first planted in Bhagalpur region by Maharaja Rahmat Ali Khan Bahadur of Kharagpur. The variety of Jardalu mangoes send to the USA and the European Union (EU) countries in the near future.
Orange
Nagpur Santra- Maharashtra-The Nagpur Orange crop grows twice annually and its harvest starts in December. The city is well-known for its orange cultivation and has a Geographical Indication. Nagpur because of its oranges is also known as the Orange City of India, adding a further charm to the oranges grown in the city.
Kachai Lemon (Citrus jambheri Lush.)– Kachai Lemon (Citrus jambheri Lush.) of Manipur is an exotic horticultural fruit from Northeast India which has been accorded Geographical Indication (GI) registration tag. Popularly known as Kachai Champra (Lemon), it is widely grown in the Kachai village in Ukhrul District, Manipur. Unlike the other lemon varieties grown in other part of world, Kachai Lemon is considered to be unique as it is a rich source of ascorbic acid, containing 45-51 mg/100 ml juice. The juice content is 36-56 ml per fruit. The fruit bearing plans of Kachai Lemon look like flowering trees during harvesting time. Kachai Lemon is a high yielding landrace with high economic value. It is consumed as fresh fruit and also used for making juice and pickles.
Banana
Nanjanagud Banana – Karnataka-Nanjanagud Banana is a type of banana that is grown in the Mysore and Chamarajanagar districts of Karnataka and is known for its distinct flavor and scent. It is included under geographical indicators. Black clay alluvial saline soil has given a unique taste and aroma, smaller fruits. Fruits can be used for the treatment of neurological diseases. Cultivated organically and if chemical fertilizers are used, it reduces the taste and aroma.
Virupakshi Hill Banana- The Virupakshi hill banana (Malai vazhaipazham) gets its name from the town of Virupakshi, located near Palani. The famous Panchamritham of Palani Temple is made with these bananas. Hill Banana had been the predominant crop in Lower Palani Hills, Kodaikanal Range. Due to “bunchy top” virus, this was on the verge of extinction during 1980. The great revival efforts from TNAU and local farmers helped to rejuvenate this variety from 2000 onwards. This special variety is recognized with GI (Geographical Indication) Tag in 2008 by the government. Hill Banana is grown well with good flavour and aroma when cultivated at higher elevations. Hill Bananas are small to medium sized, bright yellow in colour. Riped hill bananas have a delicious and distinctive sweet taste. Unlike other banana varieties, hill banana takes ~15months to generate matured fruit for harvesting. The shelf life of the fruit is more than 10 days under normal temperature conditions. The fruit can be consumed with good taste even when the skin turns dark. This fruit is rich in potassium, helps in good health and improving digestion.
Guava
Prayagraj Surkha Guava- Uttar Pradesh- The famous poet Akbar Allahabadi of Prayagraj asserts that the guava of Allahabad is a fruit of heaven with its true home in the country of God. His words obviously carry a lot of weight, since everyone who has had the pleasure of tasting Allahabad Surkha Guava over the years often describes it as a heavenly treat. Allahabad Surkha guavas are grown all over Allahabad and are well-known for their sweet and robust flavor. The fruit’s therapeutic properties are also widely recognized.
Tezpur Litchi- Assam
Assam’s Tezpur Litchi are protected from manufacturing elsewhere by geographical indication (GI) tags, which serve as irrefutable evidence of their state of origin. Litchis from Tezpur are renowned for their superior quality, delectable flavour, juicy pulp, and eye-catching red colour.
Shahi Litchi -Bihar
Shahi litchi fruit from Bihar has a Geographical Indication (GI) marking, and Muzaffarpur is known for Shahi lichi, which is mostly grown in Muzaffarpur’s districts.
Mahabaleshwar Strawberry
There are farms growing gooseberries, mulberries, raspberries, and strawberries on the hilly slopes that encircle Mahabaleshwar. In 2010, strawberries from Mahabaleshwar were designated as a geographical indication. Raspberries from Mahabaleshwar are distinct from other varieties and are incredibly juicy, pulpy, and delicious.
Vegetables
Byadagi Chilli
This chilli is from Karnataka of the area of Byadagi region of Haveri . Byadagi chilli designated as a GI in 2011. Chilli is known for its deep red colour and got the highest colour value of 1, 50,000 – 2, 50,000 CU. It is not very pungent and is used in many food preparations in India. This chilli is characterized by wrinkles on the pods, low pungency and sweet flavour. The two main types are Bydagi Kaddi and Bydagi Dabbi.
Naga Tree Tomato
Tomato produces in Nagaland in the area of Kohima, Wokha, Zunheboto, Kiphiri, Tuensang, Mon and Phek region. Naga tree tomato got GI tag in the year of 2015. The Naga tree tomatoes are locally known as sei bangenuo. The fruit looks like tomato with oval or egg shape which is a ‘traditional food item of the Naga people’. The fruit is rich in vitamin A and C as well as an excellent source of calcium, iron, phosphorous and magnesium. Naturally, it helps in controlling high blood pressure and to bring down cholesterol levels.
Udupi Mattu Gulla Brinjal
Udupi Mattu Gulla Brinjal is a variety of green brinjal grown in the and the village of Matti in Udapi .The shape of the Mattu Gulla is green in colour with light green stripes. It is got GI tag in gets dissolved while cooking and also less astringent and less bitter when compared to other variety of Brinjal.
CONCLUSION
India is a great place to find a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, each with distinct quality traits that have been grown and preserved for many years by the local farmers and tribal people in particular geographical areas. Due to their cultivation in a particular location and climate, indigenous species and varieties of fruits and vegetables have developed unique quality characteristics such as taste, aroma, high antioxidant content, pigments, proteins, dietary components, etc.
The efforts of public and quasi-public entities to ensure legal protection for Indian GI is in itself an important step towards protecting and exploiting the commercial potential of these products related to origin. Since most GIs are associated with rural culture, climate and community life, we have significant scope to build the brand image of these exotic products by highlighting cultural aspects associated with them. Most of the registered products exploit the market potential and thus the producers benefit. However, in many cases, the benefits of GIs are mainly reaped through intermediaries. If we want to strengthen the rural economy, such practices must be minimized through strict enforcement of rules and regulations. There is a need for effective alignment and coordination between organizations to avoid duplication of efforts and maximize profits to facilitate the process of exploiting the commercial and socio-economic potential of Gls in India. There has been significant progress in granting GI tags to potential clones of horticultural crops, but the legislation is still in its infancy and awareness levels among growers and traders may be low about the concerns about the recording process and the economic and social importance of recording items.
Govt. of India recently proposed ‘One Product One District’ (OPOD) approach, an action plan for promoting horticulture crops. This approach would recognize to local products, traditional knowledge, bring down unemployment rate and more income for the rural community. Vegetable-based GI products have enormous economic potential to enter international markets, generate more foreign exchange, and raise a nation’s GDP. It is possible to prevent unethical marketing tactics and middlemen’s intervention in domestic markets by implementing an efficient post-GI mechanism.
References
- Varun M Hiremath, H R Raghavendra, B K Tejukumar and T V Udaya, Geographical indications of vegetables in India, 2020
- Kundan Kishore, Geographical Indications in Horticulture: An Indian perspective, 2018
- M.S. Saraswathi, P. Durai and S. Uma, ICAR – National Research Centre for Banana, 2020
- Sandeep Kr Tiwari, 15 Most Famous Fruits of India with GI Tag, 2022
- Three GI cheers for Bihar: Magahi paan, Jardalu mango, Katarni rice get exclusive tag, Hindustan Times, 2023
- Yash Lakhan, Most Famous Indian Fruits with G.I. Tag, 2022
- Virupakshi hill banana, www.cvorganicfarms.com