In a major boost to exports of Geographical Indication (GI) certified products, a consignment of Dahanu Gholvad Sapota from the Palghar district of Maharashtra was shipped to the United Kingdom.

Gholvad Sapota

• GI certification of Ghovad Sapota is held by Maharashtra Rajya Chikoo Utpadak Sangh and the fruit is known for its sweet and unique taste.
• It is believed that the unique taste is derived from the calcium-rich soil of Gholvad village.
• Currently, in the Palgahr district, around 5000 hectares of land is under sapota or plantation.
• Sapota is grown in many states- Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.
• Karnataka is known to be the highest grower of the fruit, followed by Maharashtra.

Do you know?

Earlier this month, a consignment of 2.5 Metric Tonne of GI certified Banganapalli & Survarnarekha mangoes sourced from farmers in Krishna & Chittor districts of Andhra Pradesh was exported to South Korea.

Back2Basics: Geographical Indication (GI)

• The World Intellectual Property Organisation defines a GI as “a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin”.
• GIs are typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, handicrafts, industrial products, wines and spirit drinks.
• Internationally, GIs are covered as an element of intellectual property rights under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
• They have also covered under the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now