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GI-Tagging and initiatives to promote it

Empowering India's Unique Traditions: The Significance and Promotion of GI Tagging

Description: Explore the importance of Geographical Indication (GI) tagging in preserving traditions, boosting the economy, and government initiatives to promote it.

What is GI tagging?

A geographical indication (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.  

A geographical indication right enables those who have the right to use the indication to prevent its use by a third party whose product does not conform to the applicable standards.

Geographical indications are typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts, and industrial products.

The present international framework on the Geographical Indications (GIs) derives its strength from Article 22 of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.

Geographical Indications are also covered as an element of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) under Articles 1(2) and 10 of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.

GI is different from the other type of Intellectual Property called ‘trademarks’ in a way that trademark is a sign assigned to an enterprise that gets the exclusive right to use it to distinguish its goods and services from those of others.

Note: Darjeeling tea was the first Indian product that was awarded the GI tag in 2004 for its naturally occurring quality, flavour, and market potential. In fact, three variants of Darjeeling tea–black, green, and white have got GI tag. 

Significance

The significance of a Geographical Indication (GI) tag lies in its ability to protect and promote unique products and traditions associated with specific regions. Here are some key points highlighting its importance:

•  Protection of Authenticity: GI tags safeguard the authenticity and quality of products by preventing unauthorized use of the geographical name. This ensures that consumers receive genuine, high-quality products.

•  Economic Benefits: GI tags can boost the local economy by providing legal protection to local producers and promoting their products. This encourages tourism and trade in the region.

•  Preservation of Tradition: GI tags help preserve traditional knowledge, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage associated with a particular place. This ensures that traditional practices continue to thrive.

•  Market Access: GI-tagged products often gain access to premium markets both domestically and internationally, increasing their market value and demand.

•  Consumer Trust: Consumers can trust GI-tagged products because they are associated with a specific geographic origin known for quality and unique characteristics.

•  Promotion of Rural Livelihoods: GI recognition can provide livelihood opportunities for rural communities engaged in the production of GI-tagged products.

Government Interventions for promoting GI Tag products

•  In a bid to popularise India’s GI-tagged products and works of artisans, the government is aiming to market the products in international markets. While launching the new logo for the GI products, a new tagline for promotion ‘Invaluable Treasure of Incredible India’ has been selected. The Ministry of Commerce is working with the Ministry of Civil Aviation as well as the Ministry of Railway to arrange a display for GI-tagged products.

•  India’s very first Geographical Indications (GI), Store of Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI) was launched in 2019, at the departure terminal of Goa. GoI is planning to open GI stores in other airports as well. 

•  India’s Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2021-2026, which targets to achieve the exports value to USD 1.0 trillion by 2025, has recognised GI-tagged Agri commodities as one of the growth drivers in the draft export policy which will help to gain competitive advantage in buyer driven global markets. Two major initiatives proposed under the new FTP include 

(a) Promoting ‘District Export Hubs’ in each district and setting up district export promotion panels, and preparing district export action plans to target small businesses and farmers, and 

(b) ‘Correcting imbalances’ in India’s international trade processes by creating efficient, cost-effective, and adequate logistical and utility infrastructure, as well as working towards reducing the domestic and overseas constraints related to the policy, regulatory and operational framework for lowering transaction costs and enhancing ease of doing business.

•  Starting of India’s first exclusive and largest online store of GI-tagged products

•  Many agencies as well as the State governments are now frequently organising Buyer-Seller Meet with a specific focus on GI-tagged products.

Suggestions/Way forward

•  There is a need to prepare a strategy to raise awareness about various GI products, and the difference between GI and non GI products amongst local farmers, consumers, and other relevant stakeholders. 

•  APEDA, which organises buyers-sellers meet in different countries in virtual as well as in physical form to promote export of Indian agri-products, has recently started giving special visibility to GI products. Such efforts are a welcome step but India, especially the Central Government, needs to come out with some long-term policy to provide Indian GI products an assured domestic as well as international market. 

•  The Central Sector Scheme of promotion and nurturing of 10,000 Agri-based Farmers Producers Organisations (FPOs), is being implemented through three national agencies, NABARD, SFAC, and NCDC, and a few other agencies. Cluster approach based on One District One Product (ODOD) has been adopted to increase value addition, marketing, and exports which will benefit small, marginal, and landless farmers by giving access to technological inputs, finances, and better markets and prices for their crops. The OPOD concept is in practice in Japan as OVOP (One Village One Product) and as OTOP (One Tambon One Product) in Thailand and reportedly has contributed positively to the income of the farmers in both the countries. In this connection, it is suggested that implementing agencies should try to give due importance to crops having GI tags or having requisite characteristics for consideration as GI products. 

•  The government needs to make efforts for creating required infrastructures such as customs clearance facilities, laboratory testing facilities, pack-houses, and pre-cooling facilities, which would harness and boost the exports potential of GI products. 

•  India needs to start negotiations with other countries very proactively, to make their markets available for GI-tagged products, especially agricultural products from India as about 111 out of 370 GI products registered in India are agricultural products. In return, India would also be expected to help GI-tagged products. 

•  Despite GI tagging, the commercial performance of many GI products is not up to the mark, even in the domestic market. Therefore, the GoI may identify such product-place clusters and evaluate them commercially to develop them in their entirety. 

•  It is observed that except for Basmati rice, Nashik grapes, and Darjeeling tea, the value chains for most of the other GI-tagged commodities are either not developed or at a very nascent stage. Efforts are needed on this front also. 

•  Setting up an incubation centre for helping users/farmers/entrepreneurs for obtaining GI and traceability solutions of their produce may help GI products to grow. 

•  Identification of select FPOs and pilot for GI-traceability solutions covering a survey of farms, weather advisory services, traceability solutions, reporting applications, inventory management, order management, satellite-based applications, and yield predictions. 

•  NABARD supports the registration of agricultural as well as non-agricultural products for getting GI tags. It also helps various agencies to form and nurture Off-farm (non-farm) Producers Organisations (OFPOs) which can be taken advantage of for promoting region-specific nonfarm activity clusters.

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