Kohima, 28 June (MTNews): The North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC), a subsidiary of the Ministry of DoNER, Government of India, organized a Geographical Indication (GI) Awareness Program in Kohima today. The program aimed to empower 250 Naga Sweet Cucumber and Tree Tomato farmers in Nagaland with NERAMAC-processed GI certification. Approximately 100 farmers cultivating these crops attended the seminar.
Commodore Rajiv Ashok, the retired Managing Director of NERAMAC, welcomed the participants and highlighted the significance of the GI initiative in promoting and safeguarding traditional agricultural practices and products of the North Eastern Region. He explained that the GI tagging of Naga Tree Tomato and Naga Sweet Cucumber would provide recognition to their unique qualities and reputation, protecting them from misuse and imitation. Ashok emphasized that GI authorization would enhance the competitiveness of these products in domestic and international markets, ultimately creating opportunities for increased income and livelihoods.
Tiakala Ao, the General Manager of NABARD Kohima, addressed the event and described GI as a form of intellectual property rights that identifies products originating from specific geographical locations. She highlighted the role of GI protection in promoting and safeguarding the unique products of a region. Ao listed the GI-tagged products in Nagaland, including Naga Mircha (King Chilli), Naga Tree Tomato, Naga Sweet Cucumber, and Chakhesang Shawl. Ao expressed the growing demand for Naga products both within India and abroad, while also acknowledging the increase in counterfeit products. She stressed that the GI tag would protect these products from imitation, ensuring high-quality standards, promoting them to a wider audience, and boosting the local economy.
Ao informed the audience that NABARD has implemented a specific GI policy since 2019-2020, aiming to promote GIs as a tool for rural development. NABARD provides financial assistance to various producer groups, self-help groups, farmers’ clubs, marketing federations, and cooperatives for GI registration and post-registration activities, including market linkages, branding, and promotion. To date, NABARD has sanctioned 204 projects across the country for GI registration of both farm and off-farm products, covering agricultural products, food products, handicrafts, and textiles.
During the event, Mr Meyasashi, the Director of the Horticulture Department of the Nagaland government, gave a presentation on Naga Tree Tomato and Naga Cucumber, highlighting their advantages. He mentioned that Naga Tree Tomato was granted a GI tag in March 2015, while Naga Cucumber received its GI tag in September 2021.
James Chawang, the Deputy Director of the Agriculture Department of the Nagaland government, requested NERAMAC to collaborate with the state departments of Agriculture and Horticulture for processing and marketing. Chawang encouraged farmers to increase crop production to meet market demands.
NERAMAC, established in 1982 as a government enterprise, aims to become a trusted brand for authentic agricultural and horticultural produce from the North East Region, both nationally and internationally.