Shahi Litchi

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

Context: In a major boost to export of GI certified products, season’s first consignment of Shahi Litchi from Bihar was exported to United Kingdom.

• Because of short-shelf life of litchi, there is need to explore exports opportunities for the processed and value-added products.

Shahi litchi

• It was the fourth agricultural products to get GI certification from Bihar in 2018, after Jardalu mango, Katarni rice and Magahi paan.
• GI registration for Shahi Litchi is held with the Muzaffarpur-based Litchi Growers Association of Bihar.
• Muzzafarpur, Vaishali, Samastipur, Champaran, Begusarai districts and adjoining areas of Bihar have favorable climate for growing Shahi Litchi.
• India is the second largest producer of litchi (Litchi chin) in the world, after China.
• Bihar tops in terms of production of litchi.

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/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1721322