GI Certified Bhalia Wheat

In News

Recently, the first shipment of Geographical Indication (GI) certified Bhalia variety of wheat was exported to Kenya and Sri Lanka from Gujarat.

About

• In 2020-21, the wheat exports from India witnessed a significant growth of 808 per cent to INR 4034 crore from INR 444 crore reported in the previous fiscal. 
• India exported a substantial quantity of grain to seven new countries – Yemen, Indonesia, Bhutan, Philippines, Iran, Cambodia, and Myanmar during 2020-21.

Bhalia Variety of Wheat

• It is a variety of wheat that received GI certification in July 2011.
• It has high protein content and is sweet in taste. 
• The crop is grown mostly across the Bhal region of Gujarat which includes Ahmedabad, Anand, Kheda, Bhavanagar, Surendranagar, Bharuch districts.
• This variety is grown in rainfed conditions without irrigation.

Geographical Indication (GI) Tag

• GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
• It is a part of the intellectual property rights that comes under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
• In India, Geographical Indications registration is administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act of 1999. 
• The Geographical Indications Registry is located in Chennai.
• Items Covered: Agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts, and industrial products.
• Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) promotes exports of agricultural & processed food items (including GI products) by providing assistance to the exporters.
  • Recently, Dahanu Gholvad Sapota (chikoo) has been exported to the United Kingdom.

International Protection for GI:

• Internationally GI is covered as a component of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
• The Paris Convention, adopted in 1883, applies to industrial property in the widest sense, including patents, trademarks, industrial designs, utility models, service marks, trade names, geographical indications and the repression of unfair competition.
• GI is also governed by the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO’s) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).

Benefits:

• It confers legal protection to Geographical Indications in India
• Prevents unauthorised use of a Registered Geographical Indication by others
• It provides legal protection to Indian Geographical Indications which in turn boost exports.
• It promotes the economic prosperity of producers of goods produced in a geographical territory.

Source: BL