GI certified Gholvad Sapota (chikoo)

Description

GS PAPER II: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.

Context: In a major boost to exports of Geographical Indication (GI) certified products, a consignment of Dahanu Gholvad Sapota from Maharashtra was shipped to the United Kingdom.

Ghovad Sapota

GI certification of Ghovad Sapota is held by Maharashtra Rajya Chikoo Utpadak Sangh
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.

Sapota major growing areas:

Sapota 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.

Export of GI products:

GI products with its uniqueness, intrinsic value and practically no competition from outsiders, offers good potential for export.
Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has been thrust on promotion of exports of GI products.
Apart from this the Department of Commerce (DOC) also support exports through various schemes like Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES), Market Access Initiative (MAI) etc.

About APEDA:

APEDA promotes exports of agricultural & processed food products by providing assistance to the exporters under various components of its scheme such as Infrastructure Development, Quality Development and Market Development.
APEDA also conducts international Buyer Seller Meets (BSM), Virtual trade fairs with importing countries to promote agricultural & processed food products.

About GI tags:

A geographical indication or GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
Geographical Indications are part of the intellectual property rights that comes under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
In India, Geographical Indications registration is administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act of 1999.
Geographical indications are typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts, and industrial products.
It is basically an assurance that the product is coming from that specific area. It's kind of trademark in the international market.
Products that recently got GI tags are
- Kashmir Saffron
- Gorakhpur Terracotta
- Manipur Chak-Hao
- Jharkhand Sohrai – Khovar Painting
- Telangana Telia Rumal