High Court Ruled Garlic a Vegetable | 16 Aug 2024

Why in News?

Recently, the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has officially declared garlic as a vegetable.

Key Points

  • This ruling is expected to benefit farmers by enabling them to sell garlic directly in the market without paying commissions to agents.
  • In 2015, a farmers' organisation in Madhya Pradesh urged the Mandi Board to classify garlic as a vegetable.
    • However, the Agriculture Department soon reversed this decision, reclassifying garlic as a spice under the Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act, 1972.
    • This led to a legal challenge by the Potato, Onion, and Garlic Commission Agent Association in 2016.
    • In 2017, a single judge ruled in favour of the association, allowing garlic to be sold as a vegetable.

Garlic

  • Botanically, garlic (Allium sativum) is considered a vegetable, as it has a bulb, tall stem, and long leaves.
    • The distinctive smell of garlic and onion is due to the presence of sulphur-containing chemicals.
  • Garlic grows best in well-drained, fertile loamy soil with a pH range of 6-8. Soils rich in organic matter are preferred for their moisture and nutrient retention and reduced risk of crusting and compaction. Heavy soils may cause deformed bulbs, while poorly drained soils can lead to discoloured bulbs.
  • Garlic thrives at 1200–2000 meters above sea level. Requires cool, moist climate during growth and warm, dry weather during maturity.
  • Production: India is the world's second-largest garlic exporter, with record-high exports in 2023 due to supply chain issues in China.
    • Indian garlic flakes have become more popular in West Asian countries, with the United States, Malaysia, Brazil, Germany, and the United Kingdom being India's main garlic export markets.
  • Geographical Indication Tag:
  • Riyawan Garlic, a GI-tagged garlic from Madhya Pradesh, is renowned for its high yield, pungent and robust flavour, and higher oil content compared to other varieties.
  • Kodaikanal Malai poondu (Hill Garlic) a GI-tagged garlic from Tamil Nadu, is known for its medicinal and preservative properties due to its antioxidant and antimicrobial potential, which are attributed to the presence of the higher amount of organosulfur compounds, phenols and flavonoids compared to the garlic varieties.
  • Kanthalloor Vattavada Veluthuli, a GI-tagged garlic from Kerala, is renowned for its strong aroma and flavour. Grown in the high-altitude areas of Kanthalloor and Vattavada, this small-sized garlic is prized for its medicinal properties and culinary use.