Unjha’s renowned cumin and fennel have been granted Geographical Indication (GI) tags, providing official recognition to two of Gujarat’s key agricultural products. This certification is set to boost product authenticity, enhance export opportunities, and assist farmers in securing better prices by safeguarding their branding. The Geographical Indications Registry of the Central government awarded these tags under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel highlighted that the GI tags for Unjha cumin and fennel align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Vocal for Local” and “Local to Global” vision. This recognition underscores the increasing international acknowledgment of Gujarat’s traditional agricultural items. The tags specifically apply to cumin and fennel cultivated in the Unjha region of North Gujarat, known as one of India’s major spice trading centers.
A Geographical Indication (GI) tag is conferred on products with qualities, reputation, or characteristics associated with a particular geographical area. This certification offers legal protection against misuse of the product’s name, ensures quality standards, and reduces the prevalence of counterfeit products. Experts noted that GI-tagged products can command market prices 20 to 30 percent higher than similar non-GI items, potentially boosting farmers’ incomes and strengthening the local agricultural economy.
The application for these GI tags was a collaborative effort involving the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), Unjha; the Central government; the state government’s Horticulture and Farmers Welfare Department; Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University; and the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, Gujarat. Unjha APMC chairman Dinesh Patel hailed the recognition as a significant milestone for the region’s farming and spice trade, emphasizing the positive impact on market credibility, demand, and global acceptance of the products.
