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

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1720028

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