The Ministry of Commerce and Industry registered 312 Geographical Indication (GI) tags - including Bangla rasgulla and Alphonso mango - in the past one year. A GI is an indication used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. Such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness, which is essentially attributable to its origin in that defined geographical locality.

Darjeeling tea, Mahabaleshwar strawberry, Jaipur’s blue pottery, Banarasi sarees and Tirupati laddus are some of the GIs. A total of 325 products from India carry this indication.

GI products can benefit the rural economy in remote areas by supplementing the incomes of artisans, farmers, weavers and craftsmen.

Recently, Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu launched the logo and tagline for the Geographical Indications (GI) of India and said that the GI will give the rightful share in the intellectual property to the artisan and the place of origin of the product.

The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has taken several initiatives in this regard and is actively involved in the promotion and marketing of GIs with a vision to enhance the horizon both socially and economically for GI producers.

Alphonso - the king of mangoes better known as Hapus in Maharashtra - is in demand in the domestic and international markets not only for its taste but also for its pleasant fragrance and vibrant colour. It has long been one of the world’s most popular fruits and is exported to various countries, including Japan and South Korea, as well as Europe. New markets such as the US and Australia have recently opened up.

The first product to get a GI tag in India was Darjeeling tea in 2004.