Exports of GI Certified Gholvad Sapota: Maharashtra

• 25 May 2021

Why in News

A consignment of Dahanu Gholvad sapota has been exported to the United Kingdom from Maharashtra’s Palghar district, providing a major boost to shipments of Geographical Indication (GI) certified products from India.

• Sapota (Chikoo) 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.

Key Points

• About Gholvad Sapota:
  • 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 in Palghar district (Maharashtra).
• Other GI Certified Products from Maharashtra:
  
  • Alphonso Mango, Puneri Pagadi, Nashik Valley Wine, Mahabaleshwar Strawberry, Warli Painting.
• Geographical Indication (GI) Certification:
  
  • GI is an indication used to identify goods having special characteristics originating from a definite geographical territory.
    
    • It is used for agricultural, natural and manufactured goods.
  • The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India.
    
    • The Act is administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and TradeMarks- who is the Registrar of Geographical Indications.
    • The Geographical Indications Registry is located at Chennai.
  • The registration of a geographical indication is valid for a period of 10 years. It can be renewed from time to time for a further period of 10 years each.
  • It is also a part of the World Trade Organisation’s Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
  • Recent Examples: Jharkhand’s Sohrai Khovar painting, Telangana’s Telia Rumal , Tirur Vetilla (Kerala), Dindigul Lock and Kandangi Saree (Tamil Nadu), Odisha Rasagola, etc.
  • Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA - Ministry of Commerce and Industry) has a focus on promotion of exports of GI products.
    
    • Shahi Litchi from Bihar has been exported to the United Kingdom.
      
      • India is the second largest producer of litchi (Litchi chin) in the world, after China.
    • Earlier, a consignment of GI certified Banganapalli & Survarnarekha mangoes sourced from farmers in Krishna & Chittor districts of Andhra Pradesh was exported to South Korea.

Source: PIB