GI Tag to Tomato Chilli and Kannadippaya | 05 Apr 2025

Source: TH 

Why in News? 

Telangana’s Warangal Chapata Chilli (Tomato Chilli) and Kerala’s tribal handicraft Kannadippaya have been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, further enriching India’s GI registry, which now has over 600 products listed. 

What are the Key Facts About Warangal Chapata Chilli? 

• About: It is Telangana’s 18th GI-tagged product and the third agricultural GI, after Banaganapalli Mango and Tandur Red Gram. 

• Features:  It is known for its bright red colour and round tomato-like shape. 
  • The chilli is less spicy but lends a bright red colour with extensive flavour due to its capsicum oleoresin properties (anti-obesogenic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties). 
• Types:  It exists in three fruit types: Single Patti, Double Patti, and Odalu. 
• Cultivation: The Warangal Chapata is under cultivation in the villages of Nagaram of Jammikunta mandal for more than 80 years while Nadikuda village and mandal could be the oldest source. 
  • Its unique characteristics can be attributed to the red and black soil of the region.  
  • The area's unique soil, water, and weather make it hard to grow this crop anywhere else. 

What are the Key Facts About Kannadippaya? 

• About: The recognition makes Kannadippaya the first tribal handicraft product from Kerala to receive the GI tag. 

• Origin: The craft is primarily preserved by the Oorali, Mannan, Muthuva, Malayan, and Kadar tribal communities and by the Ulladan, Malayarayan, and Hill Pulaya artisans in Idukki, Thrissur, Ernakulam, and Palakkad districts. 
  • In the past, Kannadippaya was once presented to kings by tribal communities as a mark of honour. 
• Key Features: The product derives its name, which literally means mirror mat, from its unique reflective pattern 
  • It is made from the soft inner layers of reed bamboo (Teinostachyum wightii), the mat is known for its unique properties like providing warmth during winter and cooling effects in summer.