Eminent agriculture scientist and former Vice Chancellor of the Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Coimbatore, Dr S Jayaraj lamented that the registration of Geographical Indication (GI) crops in South India is very poor, though the scene in Karnataka is far better compared to that of the other southern states.
He was addressing a sensitisation workshop on ‘Geographical Indications of Crops and Goods’, organised by the Department of Horticulture at Lalbagh on Monday. The scientist said that in north India, the level of awareness about GI products is quite high, and textile goods have been registered in a big way.
Dr Jayaraj said the potential in Karnataka is high for GI products where there is varied geographical atmosphere.
“On the one hand we have the Malnad region, then there is dry area in north Karnataka. We find here a variety of vegetation, which is exclusive for Karnataka and there is a need to register the crops,” said Dr Jayaraj.
On the crops heading for extinction, he said, “I had heard about jeera rice and wanted at least one kilogram of it but I could not get it anywhere in South India. Earlier, tribes used to carry seeds with them whenever they moved from one mountain to another, but ever since their habitat has been disturbed, they too are not carrying those breeds with them,” the agriculture scientist said.
He also mentioned the rare variety of navara rice and palakkad rice, which have medicinal values, with even Arya Vaidyashala using it for treatment. He said these varieties should be registered at the earliest, and suggested that Coorg coffee and food products of North Karnataka be registered too.
Awareness needed
Speaking on the occasion, Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde said there was a need to spread awareness on safeguarding the variety of crops and vegetation found exclusively in India, so that no one else can register them.
He gave the instances of neem, basmati and turmeric, which was nearly patented by a multinational company in US.
6 REGISTERED
Karnataka has registered six GI crops while the process for registering nine other crops is underway, said the Director of Horticulture Dr K Ramakrishnappa.
He told newsmen that Coorg orange, Mysore betel leaf (Piper betel), Nanjangud banana, Mysore Mallige, Udupi Mallige and Hadagali Mallige have already been registered. The process is on to get GI registration for Kamalapur Red Banana, Byadagi Chilli, Sagar Appe Midi Mango, Devanahali Pummelo, Mattu Gulla brinjal, Bangalore Rose Onion, Bengalura Mango, Bangalore blue grape and Janagere jack fruit.
