West Bengal՚s Gobindobhog Rice Gets Geographical Indication Status

Geographical Indications Registry (GIR) granted geographical indication (GI) status to Gobindobhog rice, a specialty from Burdwan district of West Bengal. South Damodar belt is traditional area of Gobindobhog rice cultivation.

Map of Native Areas of Cultivation

Gobindobhog Rice

  • Gobindobhog variety is a short grain, white, aromatic, sticky rice having a sweet buttery flavor.
  • Derives its name from its use as principal ingredient in offerings to Govindajiu, the family deity of Setts of Kolkata.

Regions of Cultivation

  • Primarily cultivated in east Burdwan district - in southern basin of Damodar River in Raina 1, Raina 2, and Khandaghosh blocks.
  • Burdwan region (now divided into districts of east and west Burdwan) is the rice bowl of Bengal.

Advantages

  • Unique taste and aroma
  • Cultivated late and therefore not much affected by rains
  • High productivity per acre
  • Farmers get best prices for Gobindobhog rice
  • Less prone to pests

Significance of GI Tag

GI tag signifies that rice from other regions or varieties cannot be branded as Gobindobhog strengthening marketability of this rice in the local, national and international markets.

What is Geographical Indication (GI) Tag?

  • GI tag is put on products with unique geographical origin over centuries
  • Such products must have special quality or reputation attributes.
  • Marks authenticity and ensures registered authorized users get benefit of popular product name.
  • Covered as an element of intellectual property rights (IPRs) under Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
  • GI is governed by WTO՚s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) at International level.
  • GI registration is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 in India, which came into force in September 2003.
  • Granted by Chennai based GIR.
  • Darjeeling tea was first product given GI tag in India.

Benefits of GI Status

  • Legal protection to the products
  • Prevents unauthorized use of a GI tag products
  • Helps consumers get quality products of desired traits
  • Promotes producers of GI tag goods by enhancing demand in national and international markets.

Examrace Team at Aug 25, 2021