DAILY NEWS ANALYSIS

GS-III : Economic Issues GI Tag

24 August, 2022
6 Min Read

GI Tag to Mithila Makhana/Foxnut

The Union Government recently recognized Mithila Makhana in Bihar with the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag.

The Mithilanchal Makhana Utpadak Sangh is the name under which the GI has been registered.

Mithila Makhana and Bihar

This is Bihar's fifth product to receive the GI Label.
Prior to this, the Jardalu Mango from Bhagalpur, the Katarni Dhaan (rice), the Magahi Paan from Nawada, and the Shahi Litchi from Muzaffarpur all had the GI label.
80 per cent of India's supply of makhana, or fox nuts, is harvested in Bihar.

What is Mithila Makhana?

Botanical name

Mithila Makhana is locally known as Makhan in Mithila.
Its Botanical name is Euryale Ferox Salisb.

Region associated

This special variety of Aquatic Fox Nut is cultivated in the Mithila region of Bihar and adjoining areas of Nepal.

Micro-nutrients

Fox Nuts are rich in protein and fibre and have various micronutrients such as magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and iron.

Significance

The Maithili Brahmin community extensively uses and distributes Makhana during the Kojagara Puja festival.
This move is expected to help growers get the maximum price for their premium produce.

About GI Tag

Products with a distinct geographic origin or characteristics that may be ascribed uniquely to a place are identified with the GI or Geographical Indication Tag.
A GI is primarily a produced product (handicrafts and industrial goods), an agricultural product, or a natural product that comes from a specific geographic region.
It is covered by the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, which is a set of laws governing intellectual property rights.

Act in India:

The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act of 1999 oversees geographic indication registration in India.

Protection:

Once a product receives this label, no one or business may sell a comparable product under that name.

Validity:

This tag is valid for ten years, after which it can be renewed.

Advantages of GI Tag:

Geographical indications are given legal protection in India.
prevents anyone from using a Registered Geographic Indication without permission.
Indian Geographical Indications are given legal protection, which increases exports.
It supports the monetary well-being of manufacturers of goods made in a specific area.

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