The Hindu : Front Page : State aiming at a rich harvest of GI tags

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Wednesday, Aug 13, 2008
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State aiming at a rich harvest of GI tags

Sharath S. Srivatsa

Horticulture Department identifies 21 more crops

BANGALORE: The next time you casually munch on a rajapuri banana or a dhoopdal jamun, be aware that you are biting into Brand Karnataka. For, the amazing diversity of our State’s flora will receive a higher profile with 21 more horticultural crops in line for the geographical indications (GI) tag.

After securing GI tag for six horticultural crops that are exclusive to Karnataka, the Horticulture Department has prepared a list of 21 crops for getting the status from the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, which acts as the Registrar of GI. “The department is keen on bringing the exclusive crops of Karnataka under GI, and a list of crops that have the potential to be brought under GI has been prepared,” M. Vishwanath, Deputy Director of Horticulture Department’s Biocentre at Hulimavu, told The Hindu.

S.V. Hittalmani, Additional Director of Horticulture, has prepared a list of crops that are exclusive to Karnataka, and many more local varieties that have become popular for their taste will be added in future.

Dr. Vishwanath said, “The department has applied for GI status for Kamalapura red banana of Gulbarga, appemidi of Shimoga and Devanahalli chakotha.” In fact, Karnataka has the largest number of horticultural crops under GI with the Coorg orange, Mysore betel leaves, Nanjangud rasabale (banana) and three varieties of jasmine, including the famed Mysore mallige.

Incidentally, Nanjangud rasabale, Mysore betel vine and Coorg orange were the first from the country to be registered in the GI registry.

A place in the Geographical Indications Registry will provide exclusive rights to the local community to cultivate the crop for 10 years. While community ownership of the crop is provided, the Directorate of Horticulture offers technical assistance, brand development and market assistance to growers of the crops registered under GI.

“We have started the basic process, including preparation of bio-climate map, DNA fingerprinting, photographic and videographic evidence for these crops,” Dr. Vishwanath said. To get GI status, the department has to provide historical evidence, and experts are collecting it based on records and the epics, he added.

Bili sauthekayi (white cucumber) of Hassan, hirengere brinjal of Mysore, sambar southekayi (cucumber) of Mangalore, Bhatkal white onion of Uttara Kannada, mathigulla brinjal of Udupi and Byadagi chillies of Haveri are among the vegetables in the list for GI tag. In the spice crops category, it is learnt that the Horticulture Department is keen on getting GI tag for ambadi yele or kari yele (betel leaves) of Savanur in Haveri and Heerehalli arecanut of Tumkur. The Badavanahalli kakada of Madhugiri in Tumkur district, paneer gulabi (rose) of Chamarajanagar and haladi kanakambara (yellow crossandra) of Dakshina Kannada are the flowers for which GI tag is being sought.

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