Atal Dulloo, the Additional Chief Secretary of the APD, recently presided over a meeting to assess the Geographical Indication (GI) status of five crops that have been recommended from Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by various key officials, including the Secretary and Special Secretary of APD, Directors of Sheep Husbandry and Animal Husbandry in both Kashmir and Jammu, Directors of Sheep Husbandry and Horticulture in Jammu and Kashmir, Director of Agriculture in Jammu, Technical Officers from APD, heads of Technical Working Groups (TWGs), and other stakeholders both in person and online.
During the meeting, the TWG heads provided updates on the progress of GI certification applications for the newly recommended crops, including Kevur, Lakhanpur Bhalla/Bada, Thandi Khui ki Barfi, Kud Ka Patisa, and Pecan nut. They presented evidence of origin backed by historical data, emphasizing the unique characteristics of each crop and highlighting their distinct features.
Dulloo encouraged the TWGs to prioritize historical data and literature-based evidence to ensure a robust foundation for the successful GI certification of these crops. He also asked them to seek guidance from experts and consult relevant departments with knowledge, evidence, and historical background information on these crops.
A GI expert from Varanasi, Rajni Kant, provided valuable feedback during the meeting. He emphasized the significance of product inheritance and the distinctive attributes of each crop to minimize the risk of rejection during the GI registration process. Dr. Kant stated that his team is actively working on identifying additional evidence to support comprehensive GI applications for these products.
The meeting concluded with a decision to work speedily towards filing GI applications for Kud’s Patista and Thandi Khui Barfi while acknowledging the need for further work to gather evidence for the other three products. Dulloo expressed his commitment to completing all the necessary formalities and gradually initiating the application process in a timely manner.
Geographical Indication (GI) status is essential for crops as it provides them with a distinct identity and safeguards their quality and reputation. Obtaining GI certification for these crops would mean that their origin and unique features would be protected, giving a boost to their market value and facilitating their export.
