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
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