MP makes history with 12 GI tags in horticulture crops
Bhopal, June 30
Madhya Pradesh has received Geographical Indication tags for 12 horticultural and agricultural products this month, marking the first time any state in the country has secured so many GI tags together, horticulture officials said.
A GI tag gives products a special identity, indicating they originate from a particular region, which helps them secure better prices in markets. The 12 products now have national recognition, marking a proud moment for farmers in Madhya Pradesh.
Key products that received GI tags include: Kumbharaj Coriander from Guna, famous for its distinct aroma - Guna produces a significant share of India's coriander; Barman eggplant from Narsinghpur, grown on the sandy soil of Narmada river banks with a special taste; Gajriya mango from Betul; red chillies from Nimar and Malwa regions, known for their spiciness and colour, which are also exported; Khurasani tamarind from Mandu; Jumbo Sitaphal (custard apple) from Seoni, with some fruits weighing 600 to 700 grams; potatoes and Garadu from Malwa; jaggery from Narsinghpur; Singhara (water chestnut) from Jabalpur; and Noorjahan Mango from Alirajpur, known for their large size with individual mangoes weighing up to 3.5 kilograms.
The state government has set a target to increase the area under horticultural crops to 30 lakh hectares by 2030, officials said.
Currently, the area stands at about 2.8 million hectares. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has urged farmers to grow more horticultural crops alongside regular farming, believing this will boost farmers' income.
The government is also planning to secure GI tags for more products, including tamarind from Ujjain and pickled mango from Alirajpur.
This achievement will help local products access better markets, provide economic benefits to farmers, and protect the unique identity of Madhya Pradesh's special crops.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Interesting to see India's agricultural diversity getting recognized. As someone from the US, I'm amazed at the variety - especially the Noorjahan mangoes weighing 3.5 kg! That's huge. Hope this helps farmers get better prices in international markets too. 🌏
Mom used to buy Khurasani tamarind from Mandu when we visited - that tangy flavor is unmatched. GI tag is great, but will it actually reach the small farmers or just benefit big exporters? Need to see proper implementation. 🤔
Jabalpur ka singhara to MP ka pride hai! Mera nana ji wahan kheti karte the. 30 lakh hectares target by 2030 ambitious hai but achievable if government provides proper irrigation and market access. Ab seed bhi quality ki chahiye. 🌱
This is a smart move - GI tags add value. I work in agri-trade and can see MP's red chillies and custard apple getting premium rates in Dubai and Singapore. Hope other states learn from this model. Just need better cold storage supply chains now.
Barman baingan from Narsinghpur - my mother-in-law swears by it! Grows near Narmada sandy soil, tastes different from normal baingan. GI tag should help local varieties survive against hybrid seeds. But government needs to educate farmers about documentation process, which many find complicated. Good step though! 🇮🇳
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