Gujarat’s Unjha cumin and fennel get Geographical Indication tag
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Unjha cumin and fennel have received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, enhancing their branding and export potential, which is likely to benefit farmers through better price realization. This certification not only protects the geographical identity of these spices but also positions them to command a premium in both domestic and international markets, potentially increasing returns for producers in Gujarat, India's largest spice-producing state.
Unjha cumin and fennel, two of Gujarat’s key spice crops, have been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Geographical Indications Registry, a move expected to strengthen their branding, improve export prospects and help farmers secure better price realisation.
The GI registration was secured through a joint effort involving the Unjha Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), the Gujarat government’s Department of Horticulture and Farmers’ Welfare, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University and the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, the state government said on Monday.
The GI tag accords official recognition to the two spices as products originating from the Unjha region of north Gujarat, known as one of India’s largest trading hubs for spices. The certification provides legal protection against misuse of the products’ geographical identity while enhancing their credibility in domestic and international markets.
According to the government, GI-tagged products can command a 20-30 per cent premium over comparable non-GI products owing to their certified origin and quality, potentially improving returns for farmers and boosting value addition across the spice supply chain.
Gujarat is India’s largest producer of cumin and among the leading producers of fennel, with both crops concentrated in the state’s arid and semi-arid northern districts, including Mehsana, Patan, Banaskantha and Gandhinagar. Unjha, home to one of Asia’s largest spice markets, serves as the principal trading hub for cumin and fennel, with produce from Gujarat and neighbouring Rajasthan channelled through its Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC). India is also the world’s largest producer and exporter of cumin, with Gujarat accounting for a significant share of the country’s output and exports.
The recognition comes at a time when India is seeking to expand exports of value-added agricultural products and promote region-specific brands in overseas markets. With the latest additions, Gujarat has expanded its portfolio of GI-tagged agricultural products, which already includes Gir Kesar mango, Bhalia wheat, Kachchhi Kharek and Amalsadi chikoo.
Officials said the GI recognition is expected to improve market access, support exports and strengthen the global identity of Gujarat’s spice products while safeguarding the region’s agricultural heritage.
Original Article
Published on Hindu BusinessLine