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Shahi litchi fourth Bihari product to get Geographical Indication tag
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Tuesday, 23 October, 2018, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Shraddha Joshi, Mumbai
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Shahi litchi, a variety of the fruit that is grown in five districts of Bihar (namely Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Samastipur, Champaran and Begusarai) and the adjoining areas, was given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. It has become the fourth product from the state to receive the status, the others being Jardalu mango, Katarni rice and Magahi paan.
The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, stated that that Shahi Litchi from Bihar had been registered as a GI. It added that the districts of Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Samastipur, Champaran and Begusarai and adjoining areas of Bihar can claim for this variant.
This variant of the fruit is known for its attractive appearance and delicious flavour. It is sweet and juicy and has a pearly white aril. Shahi is one of the choicest varieties of litchi in the state. The Shahi litchis grown in Muzaffarpur, Samastipur and the adjoining areas are renowned for their very good sugar acid blend and aroma.
Vishal Nath, director, ICAR-National Research Centre on Litchi, Bihar said, “GI is an exclusive recognition given to a particular product. Shahi Litchi of Bihar is a one-of-its-kind variant from the state.”
“The tag will improve the demand for the fruit and reduce the fear of fake and poor-quality litchis,” he added, stating, “The GI tag for the fruit will help and benefit thousands of litchi growers, who will gain access to more markets and get better price in the country and overseas.”
The registration was done in the name of the Muzaffarpur-based Litchi Growers’ Association of Bihar, which had applied for the tag. The state produces 40 per cent of the litchis grown in India in 38 per cent of the area.
The Bihar Agriculture University started the process of registration a year ago. Nath said, “After the process was completed, details of the product were published in June under the patent rights in the Government of India’s Geographical Indication journal. They were open to objections for a period of three months.
He added, “No objection was received within the said period. We are happy that the variant has got recognition.”
According to a source from the GI registry, Krishnagar Sarpurina and Krishnagar Sarbhaja, sweets originating from West Bengal, were also in the pipeline to get the GI tag.
Recently, the much-loved Alphonso mango, majorly produced in southern Maharashtra’s Konkan region, got the GI tag as well. The districts of Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Palghar, Thane and Raigad in Maharashtra can now claim to be the place of origin of this type of mango.
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