The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : GI tag: State to register nine crops this year

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Tuesday, Mar 25, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

GI tag: State to register nine crops this year

Special Correspondent

21 crops have been lined up for registration next year

BANGALORE: Karnataka, which has already registered six of its native and unique varieties of crops under the Geographical Indications of Goods Act 1999, is in the process of registering an additional nine crops under this Act to protect the exclusive rights of State farmers over these crops and also to provide a brand value.

This is not all. The State has lined up another 21 crops for registration which would be taken up after the completion of the process with respect to the above nine crops.

Announcing this at a sensitisation workshop on Geographical Indications organised by the Horticulture Department in Bangalore on Monday, Horticulture Secretary P. Ganeshan said the State was likely to get the registration for these nine crops by the end of this year. Similarly, the registration for the 21 crops in the line-up would be taken up next year.

The crops for which the Geographical Indication tag is sought are: Byadagi Chilli, Devanahalli Chakkota, Kamalapura Red Banana, Sagar Appe Midi Mango, Mattu Gulla Brinjal, Bangalore Rose Onion, Totapuri Mango, Bangalore Blue Grapes and Janagere Jackfruit.

Mr. Ganeshan said the Horticulture Department wanted to create a brand value to the unique crops of the State through GI registration. This would go a long way in getting remunerative prices to farmers, especially in the international market, he said.

Karnataka is leading other States in getting GI tags for its crops as six out of the 10 crops in the country for which GI tag has been provided are from the State.

The Department would concentrate on popularising these . A team of growers of Udupi Mallige, Hadagali Mallige and Mysore Mallige flower would be sent to the Netherlands to attend the international floricultural meet, he said.

Lokayukta Santosh Hegde, who inaugurated the workshop, stressed the need for creating awareness about the need to protect the rights over native crops and goods.

The former Vice-Chancellor of Tamil Nadu University S. Jayaraj said Karnataka had immense potential to register a large number of crops under the GI as the State had diversity of agro-climatic condition that promoted rich bio-diversity.

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