In this paper an attempt has been made to study role of Geographical Indications (GIs) in farmers’ empowerment and biodiversity management focusing on vegetable crops GIs. Data was collected from GI registry website. Till 2023-24, 200 agricultural GIs were registered constituting 31 percent of total GIs registered in India. Total number of registered GIs in vegetables was 32 constituting 16 percent of agricultural GIs. In case of 19 vegetable GIs, farmers’ organizations were the exclusive registered owners of GIs indicating farmers’ empowerment. But only with respect to 13 vegetable GIs, authorised users were registered till 2023-24, indicating gap and lag in effective use of GIs in farmers’ empowerment. Registered vegetables GIs were spread across 10 crops. Maximum number of GIs were registered in chilli crop (14) and it was followed by brinjal (6). 32 Vegetable GIs registered in India were spread across 16 states. Maharashtra state had highest number of vegetable GIs i.e., 5 followed by Goa (4) and Kerala (4). Registered GIs in chilli crop was spread across 13 states. 6 GIs in brinjal were spread across 6 states. Similarly, 3 GIs in garlic and onion were spread across 3 states. This pattern indicates potential role of GIs in agro-biodiversity conservation.
Author(s) Details:
Jakkireddy Rajashekar Reddy
No: 5-1-84, Sri Enclave, Sakal Basthi, Premavathi Pet, Rajendra Nagar, Rangareddy, Hyderabad, Telangana-500030, India.
A. Lakshmi Prasanna
ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad, Telangana-500030, India.
Recent Global Research Developments in Geographical Indications of Vegetable Crops in India
Empowerment and Biodiversity Management:
- A study focused on the role of GIs in farmers’ empowerment and agro-biodiversity management. It highlighted that 32 vegetable GIs were registered in India, with the highest number in the chilli crop.
Socio-Economic Development:
- Research on the socio-economic impact of GIs on foodstuffs in India, emphasizing the cultural and traditional value attached to these products. This study also discussed the policy and institutional support for GI sustenance [1].
Horticultural GIs:
- An analysis of horticultural GIs in India, documenting the registered GIs from horticulture with a focus on their botanical aspects [2].
Intellectual Property Rights:
- A paper discussing the protection of fruit crops’ GIs in India and their protection abroad, providing insights into the legal framework and international perspective [3].
Awareness and Utilization:
- A study on the awareness level of GIs among farmers, particularly focusing on the Madurai Malli (jasmine) and its impact on local agriculture [1].
References
- Manchikanti, P., Datta, S., Bandopadhyay, T.K. (2022). Foodstuffs and Geographical Indications in India: An Analysis. In: Bhattacharya, N.S. (eds) Geographical Indication Protection in India. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-4296-9_5
- Ingole , A. D., Ajay Kumar, P. J. Jadhav, and S. H. Kulkarni. 2023. “Geographical Indication of Fruit Crops in India and Its Protection Abroad”. International Journal of Environment and Climate Change 13 (11):1026-43. https://doi.org/10.9734/ijecc/2023/v13i113252.
- Singh, G., Sharma, K., Dawer, S. et al. Horticultural geographical indications of India: botanical aspect. Vegetos 37, 803–817 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42535-023-00684-4