Exports of GI certified Bhalia wheat from Gujarat begins

First shipment of Geographical Indication (GI) certified Bhalia variety of wheat was exported to Kenya and Sri Lanka from Gujarat, giving a boost to wheat exports.

About Bhalia Variety of Wheat

• GI certified wheat has high protein content and has sweet taste.
• It is grown mostly across Bhal region of Gujarat. It is also grown in Ahmedabad, Kheda, Anand, Bhavnagar, Bhavnagar and Bharuch districts.
• This unique characteristic of wheat variety is grown in rainfed condition without irrigation and cultivated across two lakh hectares of agricultural land in Gujarat.
• Bhalia variety of wheat received GI certification in July, 2011.
• Registered proprietor of GI certification is Anand Agricultural University in Gujarat.

Wheat Export

In 2020-21, wheat exports from India witnessed a significant growth of 808 %. Export of wheat increased from Rs 444 crore to Rs 4034 crore in fiscal year 2020-2021. Wheat exports increased by 778% to $ 549 million in 2020-21 in US dollar terms. India exported wheat to seven new countries like Yemen, Indonesia, Philippines, Bhutan, Iran, Cambodia and Myanmar during 2020-21.

Geographical Indication (GI) Tag

GI is an insignia on products with unique geographical origin and evolution over centuries because of its special quality or reputed attributes. GI tag marks authenticity. It also ensures that registered authorized users or those residing inside geographic territory are allowed to use popular product names. Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 governs the GI Tag. It is issued by Geo graphical Indications Registry, Chennai.

Benefits of GI Tag

GI tag provides legal protection to Indian Geographical Indications and prevents unauthorized use of registered GIs. It promotes economic prosperity of producers and help to get recognition of products in other countries.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2021