Agartala, May 29: The North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC), a body under the Ministry of DoNER (Development of North Eastern Region) has recently included the queen pineapple of Tripura among 13 other products from the region for the Geographical Indication (GI) certification process.
By doing this the NERAMAC has taken a significant step towards promoting and protecting the agricultural products of the Northeast.
To enable approximately 300 farmers to use the GI tagging for NERAMAC-processed products, a seminar was organized by the corporation at Pragna Bhawan in Agartala. The seminar aimed to educate farmers and other stakeholders about the benefits and procedures associated with GI certification.
Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath expressed his support for the initiative, highlighting the central government’s commitment to protecting farmers’ rights and promoting sustainable agriculture and its products through GI tagging.
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He commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to enhance farmers’ living standards and income, emphasizing that the inclusion of queen pineapple was just the beginning, as many other crops have the potential to receive GI tagging.
During the seminar’s inauguration, Nath encouraged officials to take the necessary steps for the future GI certification of various traditionally produced items in the state.
He specifically mentioned indigenous products such as dry or fermented fish and langi—a tribal rice beer—which holds significant cultural importance in Tripura. Nath emphasized the need to preserve and promote these region-specific products, expressing the government’s dedication to addressing the matter.
Dr. Rajni Kant Dwivedi, a GI expert, and Padmashri Awardee, attended the program and revealed that nearly 20 unique products from Tripura are likely to receive GI tags in the near future.
This recognition will enable authorized producers to sell their products in national and global markets, providing them with a competitive advantage and protecting their intellectual property.
Dwivedi stressed the importance of preserving Tripura’s region-specific products through GI tagging. Items such as pineapple, tea, scented lemons, oranges, kathal (jackfruits), agarwood, and various handloom and handicrafts have unique characteristics that deserve protection and promotion.
By obtaining GI certification, these products can attain a distinct identity in the marketplace, supporting the agricultural practices and cultural heritage of the Northeast Region.
