• The Goa Cashew (kernel) has bagged the Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the Geographical Indications Registry under the Union government.

• Goa Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L) is the major commercial horticulture crop of Goa. 

• Cashew is Goa’s state fruit. Goa Cashew has its own speciality for its excellent quality of kernels as major cashew plantations in Goa are organic plantations.

• It has been cultivated mostly through seed propagation since the introduction in Goa by Portuguese.

• The English name Cashew is derived from the Portuguese name “Caju”. In Goa it is called “Caju” or “Kaju” in the local Konkani language.

• Goa Cashew plant is tall and evergreen, grows up to 12 meter height and has a spread of 25 meter.

• It is cultivated in almost all types of soils, with good draining capacity. Goa has mostly sandy to laterite soil all over Goa in hilly areas, which is well suited for this crop.

• Goa cashew is known for its delicious, pleasant taste and for the balanced nutritive profile.

• It contains a good amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates. It is also a good source of minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, iron and others.

Benefits of GI tag

• A Geographical Indication (GI) tag is used for an agricultural, natural, or a manufactured product (handicraft and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical territory. Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness, which is essentially attributable to the place of its origin.

• The GI tag helps producers get the premium price of the product as no other producer can misuse the name to market similar goods.

• Darjeeling tea, Tirupati laddu, Kangra paintings, Nagpur orange, and Kashmir Pashmina are among the registered GIs in India.

• The other benefits of GI registration include legal protection to that item, prevention against unauthorised use by others, and promoting exports.

• There is a proper process of registration of GI products which includes filing of application, preliminary scrutiny and examination, show cause notice, publication in the geographical indications journal, opposition to registration, and registration.

• It is a legal right under which the GI holder can prohibit others from using the same name.

• Geographical Indications Registry is a statutory organisation setup for the administration of the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 which came into force on September 15, 2003.

Manorama Yearbook app is now available on Google Play Store and iOS App Store