GI tag for jasmine from Hoovinahadagali, Udupi

The Horticulture department has secured Geographical Indication (GI) tag for jasmine grown in Hoovinahadagali of Bellary district and Udupi district for their exclusivity.

The flower varieties join the list of crops to have got the privileged status given by the Government of India, including ‘Nanjanagud Rasabale’ (banana of Nanjangud, Mysore district), ‘Mysore Veelyadele’ (betel leaf of Mysore), ‘appe midi’ (mango) from Sagar (Shimoga district) and Kempu Bale (red banana of Kamalapur in Gulbarga district), said Dr D B Yogananda, director, Horticulture department.

The recognition comes with a special package to boost the cultivation and marketing of the flowers. The growers will sell it directly to customers from India and abroad, at the international marketing centre proposed to come up in Davangere. A crop museum at a cost of Rs one lakh, a training centre and a sales outlet will be opened at a cost of Rs four lakh at Basapur.

Besides, Rs three lakh will be set aside annually for seminars and adoption of scientific cultivation methods. The Horticulture department has planned to chalk out an integrated method of cultivation, which combines both traditional and newer methods, in order to increase the yield. The flower, now grown on only 160 acres due to shortage of water and manpower, will be extended to thousands of acres.