The Jammu Kashmir Administration has decided to push for Geographical Indication (GI) tagging of 24 different crops and products including Apple (Ambri and Maharaji), Harissa, Gustabha, and Khanyaari Haakh.
The Union Territory’s Agriculture Production Department has set up different committees for undertaking GI tagging of 24 crops and products of Jammu & Kashmir.
The products for which J&K would push for GI tagging include Apple (Ambri), Apple (Maharaji), Pear (Naak-Tang), Grapes (Repora), Walnut, Kala Zeera, Red Rice, Shallots (Pran), Kashmiri long chilli, Nadru water chestnut, apricot, Haanz Haakh, Khanyari Haakh, Kuth, Goazaban, Pumbe Challan, Kod, Meat products like Harissa, Gustabha, Tabakhmaaz, Dried Fish (Hogaad), Smoked Fish (Phar), Mountain Garlic, Pine Nuts (Chilgoza), Red Rice, Milk Cake (Abdullian, RS Pura), Gatia Thom (Hill Garlic), Moth (Poonchi), Chandak Basmati (Poonch) and olive.
According to an order issued by the Department, a copy of which is in possession of news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), these committees shall collect all the relevant information pertaining to the crops and products in terms of their specialty, yield, process etc. to make it eligible for G.I.
The committee shall also provide specific characteristics and origin of the crop to be GI tagged and any other specific characteristics which will qualify it for tagging.
According to the order, the committees shall complete the process within a period of six months and submit the report to the concerned Authorities for further necessary action.
The GI tagging is registered under the Geographic Indication and Protection Act 1999 by the Department of Industry Promotion and International Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The government has also set-up an apex level committee headed by Financial Commissioner, Agriculture Production Department, Atal Duloo for G.I. registration of these crops and products.
The panel also comprises Padma awardee Dr. Rajnikant (GI tagging expert), Dr. J.P. Sharma (VC SKUAST Jammu), Dr Nazir Ahmad Ganai (VC SKUAST Kashmir) and Sachin Dhaniya, Deputy Secretary, Department of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Industry and Commerce—(KNO)