Geographical Indications
Geographical Indications
A GI or Geographical Indication is a name or a sign given to certain products that relate to a specific geographical location or origins like a region, town or country. Using Geographical Indications may be regarded as a certification that the particular product is produced as per traditional methods, has certain specific qualities, or has a particular reputation because of its geographical origin. Geographical indications are typically used for spirit drinks, foodstuffs, agricultural products, handicrafts, and industrial products.
GI Tag ensures that none other than those registered as authorized users are allowed to use the popular product name. In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place.
The organization that approves and regulates GI Tag:
Geographical Indications are covered as a component of intellectual property rights (IPRs) under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property. At the International level, GI is governed by the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO’s) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). In India, Geographical Indications registration is administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 which came into force with effect from 15th September 2003. The first product in India to be accorded with GI tag was Darjeeling tea in the year 2004-05.
Benefits of GI Tags
The Geographical Indication registration confers the following benefits:
- Legal protection to the products
- Prevents unauthorised use of GI tag products by others
- It helps consumers to get quality products of desired traits and is assured of authenticity
- Promotes the economic prosperity of producers of GI tag goods by enhancing their demand in national and international markets
Significance of GI Tags
A geographical indication right facilitates those who have the right to use the indication to prohibit its usage by a third party whose product does not conform to the applicable standards. However, a protected GI does not permit the holder to forbid someone from making a product using the same approaches as those set out in the standards for that indication.
To get more details about GI tag please visit the following official portal.
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The following four products have been identified in Salem district for GI tag and two of them got registered , the remaining two products application is made to get GI tag.
- Salem Fabric – Registered
- Salem Silk – Registered
- Salem mango – Applied
- Salem sago (Javvarasi) – Applied
Salem Fabric
Pattu is a Tamil word which means silk. Made with pure mulberry silk, lustrous Pattu sarees are a hallmark of luxury and elegance among South Indian women.
The silk sarees of Salem are renowned for their intricate workmanship and the use of zari, which adds value to the product. Elampillai in Salem district is one of the largest manufacturers of silk sarees in Tamil Nadu. With the changing times, many artisans have started making cotton sarees as well.
Salem Silk
Salem is one of the major cities of Tamil Nadu situated at a distance of 334 Kms from Tamil Nadu State Capita, Chennai. Salem is famous for weaving of Silk Dhoti, Cotton Dhoti and Silk Sarees. Salem Silk known as Salem Venpattu refer to silk clothes made in Salem, Tamil Nadu. It received Intellectual Property Rights Protection or Geographical Indication (GI) status
Traditional weavers at Chinthamaniyur, Panchukalipatty and Semmandapatty villages in the district have carved a niche for themselves with saris that bear the ‘silk’ mark. They say a little-known fact is that many shops in Kanchipuram sell saris made in Salem.
Salem Mangos
Salem is well known for certain varieties of mangoes such as malgova, nadusalai (better known as pether in other parts of the state), kudhadhath, Salem gundu and Alphonso. “Each variety has a distinctive aroma and taste
Mangoes from Salem have a unique aroma and taste as they are especially cultivated in a very professional manner in large farms which are technologically well- equipped for production of mangoes. Superior quality Alphonso mangoes are cultivated using natural fertilizers.
Mulgova is one of the best mango grown in Tamil Nadu state and other parts of South India, Mulgova is known as the “Alphonso of South India.Salem is very famous for Malgova mangoes, a native variety of Tamil Nadu. Alphonso mangoes are rich in vitamin A and C.
Salem sago(Javvarisi)
The Salem Sago is made from wet starch powder crushed from Tapioca roots. Around 30-35% of starch content is said to be found in the Indian Tapioca root.
The Salem Starch and Sago Manufacturers Service Industrial Co-operative Society Limited, popularly known as Sagoserve, has applied for geographical indication (GI) tag for Salem Sago (Javvarisi).
If GI tag is granted for this product, it will boost business for the farmers in this region and the over-400 sago and starch units in Salem, Erode, Nammakal and Dharmapuri belts, said those who have been in this business for several decades in the Salem region.
The Salem district uses almost 35,000 hectares of land for the cultivation of tapioca and the yield stands at 25-30 tonnes per hectare. Sago has low calorific value (310 kcal/100g) and its size generally ranges from 2 to 4.5 mm. One kg tapioca sago can be produced from 5kg of tapioca tubers.
The application also highlighted that sago production has contributed extensively to the development of the economy of Salem from the year 1967. Currently over 80% of sago in India is produced in the Salem region and a majority of this is marketed through Sagoserve, while the rest are through direct sales.
The District offers good raw material, cheap labour and good sunshine for a longer period of the day throughout the year; helping manufacturers to produce more tapioca finished products eg. sago and starch and therefore the District of Salem is known as the land of Sago, even in the international forums. In and around Salem the yield of tapioca is about 25-30 t/ha, highest in the World. National average is 19 t/ha and World average production stands at 10 t/ha.
Sago is used in various industries, including food, paper, construction, textile, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, mining, and alcohol, among others.
