Arunachal Pradesh has moved to secure stronger identity and market protection for its traditional produce by seeking Geographical Indication (GI) tags for 10 agricultural products, ranging from indigenous rice varieties to pineapples and pumpkins.
Officials confirmed that applications have been filed for Bagra pineapple, Pasighat jaggery and Baali rice, alongside Idu Yamba (finger millet), Angpu (pumpkin), Mipun rice, Libi Balangbu (white rajma), Bebo (large cardamom), cinnamon and Andoye (kidney bean).
State Horticulture Research and Development Institute (SHRDI) Director Egam Basar described the exercise as unprecedented. “This is the first time such a high number of products have been filed for GI in one go,” he said. The process is being facilitated by Human Welfare Association general secretary and GI expert Padma Shri Rajnikant.
Basar said another set of 10 products is ready for submission within a week. “We are hopeful of getting all 20 products GI registered in the near future. The state government is serious about matters of GI registration to protect our heritage products,” he said.
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The push stems from Arunachal's commitment at the GI Mahotsav 2025, where the state set an ambitious target of securing at least 50 GI registrations by 2029. With 20 already registered, 34 filed and 10 more in the pipeline, Basar believes the state is well on track. “We are hopeful of going beyond the target,” he said.
Arunachal’s existing GI-certified agri-horticulture products include Wakro Orange, Adi Kekir (ginger), Khaw Tai (Khamti rice), Yak Churpi, Singpho Phalap (tea) and Angnyat millet. The state also holds GI tags across textiles, handicrafts, beverages and other cultural products.
Basar said the wider mission is to ensure that local custodians of indigenous knowledge reap direct economic benefits. “Our farmers and people, who are the custodians of our traditional heritage, be it crops, textiles, handicrafts and cuisines, will benefit from this initiative of the state government,” he added.
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