Indian Economy
Exports of GI Certified Gholvad Sapota: Maharashtra
- 25 May 2021
- 3 min read
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.
Key Points
- 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.
- Shahi Litchi from Bihar has been exported to the United Kingdom.
- GI is an indication used to identify goods having special characteristics originating from a definite geographical territory.