JORHAT, Jan 4 - After successfully facilitating the fetching of Geographical Indication (GI) for the aromatic joha rice variety of Assam in April last year, the Assam Agricultural University (AAU) is now trying to acquire the same tag for kadji nemu (Assam lemon), phulam gamosa and komal chaol (soft rice).
Geographical Indication is a mechanism employed to identify agricultural, natural or manufactured goods which possess certain special qualities or characteristics based on climatic or production conditions unique to a geographical location. In India, the GI is granted by the GI Registry Office based in Chennai, established under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 that came into force with effect from September 15, 2003.
Muga silk, Assam (orthodox) tea, Karbi Anglong ginger and Tezpur litchi are the other products from Assam that have acquired the GI tag.
Director of Agri Research, AAU, Dr GN Hazarika told The Assam Tribune that the university has undertaken an initiative to offer its expertise to organisations seeking GI for indigenous products of the State to protect the identity and originality of these products to tackle the threat of other organisations from outside Assam laying claim of ownership over the products by applying for GI.
�We think it is our responsibility to offer assistance to organisations seeking GI for indigenous products,� Hazarika said, adding that success for the AAU came in April year after joha rice (40 varieties) got the GI tag. Seuj Satirtha, a farmers� organisation registered at Demow in Sivasagar district, received the GI. The AAU director said the university had assisted the organisation in preparing a comprehensive report to claim GI in 2013 in terms of history and scientific data.
Scientists from the university accompanied the farmers� team to deliver a power-point presentation to experts deputed by the GI office. The name of the AAU is mentioned in the certificate awarded to Seuj Satirtha, granting the GI tag.
Hazarika said that in December, 2017, the AAU, after preparing the proposal report to claim GI for kadji nemu (Assam lemon) for Na-Dihing Nemutenga Unnayan Samity, a registered farmers� organisation of Tinuskia, submitted an application to the GI office in Chennai.
Similarly, in October 2017, after preparing the proposal report to seek GI for Assam�s phulam gamosa for the Dergaon-based Institute of Handicraft Development, the AAU submitted an application to the GI office. Hazarika said that the university was now working on the presentations to be given to the GI authorities to substantiate the claim for acquiring the GI status for both the products (Assam lemon and phulam gamosa).
He added that the AAU, in December, 2016, had applied for GI for komal chaol on behalf of Seuj Satirtha (the same organisation that received GI for joha rice). In August, 2017, a team of AAU scientists, along with representatives of Seuj Satirtha, gave a presentation in Delhi to experts selected by the GI office.
He said the university was hopeful of receiving the GI for komal chaol, which is cultivated only in Assam and is among the favourite traditional food items. Hazarika said that unlike other types of rice that need to be boiled and cooked before eating, komal chaol can be consumed by soaking in water for just a few minutes. The director said the product has a huge potential for commercial production and marketing.