Seven products from Odisha have received Geographical Indication (GI) tags by the Chennai-based Geographical Indication Registry, signifying their unique origin and characteristics. The GI registry, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, registers applications for goods including Gajapati Date Jaggery, Similipal Kai Chutney and Koraput Kalajeera Rice.
Categories include food products (Kai Chutney, Magji), agricultural products (Date Palm Jaggery, Kanteimundi Brinjal, Kalajeera Rice), and textiles/handicrafts (Kapadaganda, Idital).
Applications for Kanteimundi Brinjal, Kai Chutney, and Magji were filed by OUAT in 2020; Palm Jaggery and Kalajeera Rice by Odisha Rajya Talgur Samabaya Sangha Ltd and Jaivik Sri Farmers Producer Company Ltd in 2020 and 2022.
GI tags aid buyers in distinguishing original products, potentially fetching premium prices for farmers and artisans.
Researcher Anita Sabat highlights the economic benefits, stating GI tags can significantly increase business for farmers, weavers, and craftspersons.
Secretary of SC and ST Development department emphasizes the cultural significance of Kapadaganda and Idital, protecting tribal identity.
The total number of products from Odisha with GI tags increases to 25, with Rasabali of Kendrapara being recognized on 3 October 2023.
7 Products from Odisha Awarded Geographical Indication (GI) Tags
- Kapdaganda Shawl: Woven and embroidered by the Dongria Kondh tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in the Niyamgiri hills across Odisha’s Rayagada and Kalahandi districts. This shawl showcases the profound tribal heritage of the Dongria Kondhs.
- Lanjia Saura Painting: Originating from the Lanjia Saura community, a PVTG primarily located in the Rayagada district. These paintings, in the form of exterior murals, adorn the mud walls of homes with white figures against a crimson-maroon background.
- Koraput Kala Jeera Rice: Renowned as the ‘Prince of Rice,’ this black-colored rice variety is cherished for its exceptional aroma, taste, texture, and nutritional value. Tribal farmers in the Koraput region have safeguarded this rice variety for approximately 1,000 years.
- Similipal Kai Chutney: A traditional delicacy crafted with red weaver ants, hailing from the forests of Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, including the Similipal forests.
- Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal: Noteworthy for its prickly thorns on stems and the entire plant, this brinjal variety is resistant to major insects, allowing for minimal pesticide use during cultivation.
- Odisha Khajuri Guda: Originating from Gajapati district, Odisha’s “Khajuri Guda” or jaggery is a natural sweetener extracted from date palm trees.
- Dhenkanal Magji: A distinctive sweet made from buffalo milk cheese in Dhenkanal, known for its unique characteristics in appearance, taste, flavor, shape, and size.
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What is a Geographical Indication (GI) tag?
A GI tag is a certification indicating that a product originates from a specific geographical location and possesses unique qualities, reputation, or characteristics associated with that region.
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Which products from Odisha have recently received GI tags?
Seven products have been granted GI tags, including Gajapati Date Palm Jaggery, Similipal Kai Chutney, and Koraput Kalajeera Rice. Other items include Kanteimundi Brinjal, Magji, Kapadaganda, and Idital.
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What are the categories of the products that received GI tags from Odisha?
The products fall into three categories: food products (Kai Chutney, Magji), agricultural products (Date Palm Jaggery, Kanteimundi Brinjal, Kalajeera Rice), and textiles/handicrafts (Kapadaganda, Idital).
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How many products from Odisha now have GI tags?
25, with Rasabali of Kendrapara being recognized in 2023.