GI-Alphonso: Mangoes From Maharastra Latest To Get Geographical Indication Tag

Alphonso mangoes from Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Palghar, Thane and Raigad of Maharashtra have been given Geographical Indication (GI) tags, a press release sent out by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry says. GI tags are used as indication on products that originate from specific regions and possess the reputation of the same.

These names speak for the quality and distinction of the product, which again attributes back to the place of origin. Some of the examples of GI tags are Darjeeling Tea, Mahabaleshwar Strawberry, Banarasi Saris, Tirupati Laddus etc.

GI tags are hugely beneficial to the rural economy that supplements incomes of farmers and craftsmen. Not very long ago, Suresh Prabhu, Union Minister for Commerce and INdustry launched the logo and tagline for GI. He said that this will give a person the rightful share in the intellectual property of the artisan and indicates the place of origin of the particular product. Informal sector will be benefited by this move, he added.

Several initiatives have been taken for the promotion and marketing of GIs to expand the social and economic benefits for producers by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion. Alphonso mangoes are in huge demand in the national and international markets and is very popular in Japan, Korea and Europe.

First ever product to get the GI tag was Darjeeling Tea in 2004. A total of 325 products carry GI tags.