The Alphonso Mango from Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and other adjoining areas in Maharashtra has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. This move will help identify the authenticity of this mango variety, protecting it at the same time.
A GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation, connected to that origin. The king of mangoes, Alphonso, better known as ‘Hapus’ in Maharashtra, is in demand in domestic and international markets for its taste, pleasant fragrance and vibrant colour.
“It has long been one of the world's most popular fruit and is exported to various countries including Japan, Korea and Europe,” the ministry said. New markets such as the US and Australia have recently opened up.
According to economictimes.indiatimes.com, the first product to get a GI tag in India was Darjeeling tea in 2004. There are a total of 325 products from India that carry this indication including Mahabaleshwar Strawberry, Blue Pottery of Jaipur, Banarasi Sarees and Tirupati Laddus.
