The Geographical Indication (GI) of goods reveals an indication, which identifies the agricultural goods as produced in the native region of a country, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristics of such goods essentially attributable to its geographical origin. In India, all kinds of GI-related activities are governed by ‘The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration& Protection) Act, 1999’ and ‘The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Rules, 2002’. A registered GI shall be valid for 10 years and can be renewed on payment of renewal fee.

ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF BCKV IN GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION

Mango of Malda

        The Patent Information Centre (PIC), Government of West Bengal prepared the technical and legal documents for three mango varieties of Malda district, namely MaldaLaxmanbhog, MaldaKhirsapati (Himsagar) and MaldaFazli with information provided bythe AICRP on Sub-tropical Fruits, BCKV, Nadia, and submitted to GI Registry, Government of India during 2007. After completion of all processes, all three mango varieties have been registered as GI products of Malda district during 2008.

GI Registration of Mango of West Bengal

Aromatic Rice of West Bengal

        The RKVY Project on ‘Bengal Aromatic Rice’ of BCKV in collaboration with UBKV submitted three Status Papers on Gobindabhog (2014), Tulaipanji (2014), Kalonunia rice (2016) and Radhunipagal (2016) to the Patent Information Centre. At the same time, Rice Research Station (RRS), Chinsurah, Government of West Bengal provided the information and documents for the purpose. BCKV designed the GI logos of all three varieties considering the shape, colour and characteristics of grain along with ‘Bengal Aromatic Rice’ brand as discussed in state-level meeting. Based on these, PIC prepared the techno-legal documents and submitted to the Geographical Indication Registry, Government of India. With completion of necessary official and technical formalities, Gobindabhog (South Bengal) and Tulaipanji rice (North Bengal) have been registered under ‘The Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act during October, 2017, andKalonuniaduring December, 2023. The Post-GI System for Gobindabhog and Tulaipanji has been finalized and the registration process for GI authorized users has recently been initiated in the state.

GI Registration of Aromatic Rice of West Bengal

GI Authorized users for Gobindabhog rice

            As per discussion in the state-level meetings for post-GI system for aromatic rice, the following may be considered as eligible authorised users: (a) farmers’ organizations, farmers’ producing companies, rural cooperatives, other producers, who are directly involved in both grain production, milling and trading of milled rice, (b) millers, traders, marketing agencies having direct association with Gobindabhog paddy growers / farmers’ organizations of identified districts along with business office within West Bengal, and (c) Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) of identified districts, and public-sector Corporations / Marketing Units.

With initiatives and strategic activities of two SAUs (BCKV and UBKV), SAMETI, Patent Information Centre, State Agriculture Department, etc. during last 2 years, the following KVKs, Farmers’ Organizatios, Govt. Corporation, etc. have already applied for GI Authorized Users.

List of applicants for GI Authorized Users for Gobindabhog rice of West Bengal

• 
  News Letter (2020)