Government calls for filing maximum GI applications for J&K agriculture products

As many as 23 crops or products have been tentatively identified for Geographical Indication (GI) tagging from Jammu and Kashmir and technical working groups have been formed for these products to apply for certification.

As he chaired a preliminary meeting of experts and officers of the agriculture-allied sector, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of the Agriculture Production Department (APD), Atal Dulloo called for filing maximum GI applications for J&K agriculture products on Thursday.

The meeting was attended by the Vice Chancellors of SKUAST Kashmir/Jammu, the Director of Agriculture Kashmir/Jammu, the Director of Horticulture Kashmir/Jammu, Technical Officers (APD), and other concerned in person and through online mode.

Dr Rajni Kant, a GI expert from Varanasi, delivered a detailed presentation on the GI registration process in India and guidelines for the drafting of the statement of the case.

He informed that GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and ensures good qualities or a reputation in the region.

He explained each step applicable for registration as authorised user, including the filing of an application, preliminary scrutiny and exam, issue of show cause notice, advertisement, opposition for registration, registration, renewal, additional protection to notified goods, and appeal.

Each step in the registration process is supported with historical evidence and proof.

The ACS said that the presentation will help the working groups to study thoroughly before the final GI application of a particular product.

Dulloo also impressed upon the concerned to prepare a Guidance Note so that maximum GI application would be filed and accordingly pursued so that there is little chance for rejection of any crop or product.

He said that the Guidance Note will be a model for filing GI registrations of products from J&K and will be shared with Technical Facilitation Committee members for clarifications, if any, for further GI applications.

He also urged the concerned to go for awareness and sensitization campaigns to connect with farmers to let them know about the GI Tag for their crops with support from the government and other stakeholders.