Tamil Nadu on the GI highway Premium

In recent years, the Tamil Nadu government, along with various associations across the State, has been diligently working to secure Geographical Indication (GI) tags for a diverse array of products, including agricultural goods, textiles, handicrafts, and food items. This concerted effort aims to preserve and promote the State’s unique cultural heritage, while enhancing its visibility and competitiveness in the global market.

In recent years, the Tamil Nadu government, along with various associations across the State, has been diligently working to secure Geographical Indication (GI) tags for a diverse array of products, including agricultural goods, textiles, handicrafts, and food items. This concerted effort aims to preserve and promote the State’s unique cultural heritage, while enhancing its visibility and competitiveness in the global market.

As of December 31, 2024, Tamil Nadu has secured 59 GI tags, positioning itself as the second State in the country in terms of GI recognition, trailing behind only Uttar Pradesh, which leads with 74 GI tags. Tamil Nadu’s agriculture budget for 2024-2025 placed significant emphasis on obtaining GI tags for more products, recognising the crucial role these tags play in enhancing demand and expanding export opportunities. The budget stated: “In the past three years, application for GI tag has been filed for 25 agricultural products. Likewise, during 2024-2025, GI tag will be obtained for 10 agricultural products.”

Madurai Agribusiness Incubation Forum (MABIF), an initiative of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), is also playing a crucial role by raising awareness among producers about the importance of GIs and various government-led promotional initiatives. MABIF is providing comprehensive support for the GI registration process, including pre-registration activities, field visits, documentation, and filing for potential products in Tamil Nadu.

Here are some of the products that have gained GI recognition:

Applicant: Ooty Varkey Producers Welfare Association

The Ooty varkey is a traditional baked biscuit, renowned as a delicacy from the Nilgiris region. The cookie’s crisp and crunchy texture likely inspired its name, with the Urdu word varq meaning “thin layer.” It is made using a blend of wheat flour (maida), salt, sugar, vanaspati, ghee, vegetable oil, water, and mava. Mava is made of banana, rava, maida and sugar. Varkey is puffed, baked, and light brown in color, making it a light and crispy treat. Its distinct flavor comes from the water of the Nilgiris, which imparts a mild sweetness, a slight saltiness, and a flaky texture. Today, tourists who visit this hill station flock to bakeries to pick up this snack, which has enhanced its demand. Historical records show that the Britishers employed the local people and the people who migrated from Kerala in search of work as labourers in their bakeries. These labourers experimented with something new, which eventually came to be known as varkey.

Applicant: Madurai Malli Farmers Association