The Entrepreneurs’ Association, in collaboration with The North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC), organized a state-level workshop on Geographical Indications (GI) awareness for Naga tree tomato and sweet cucumber, as well as user authorization, held at the Directorate of Horticulture, Kohima, on 26th November 2024.
During the program, Additional Director of Agriculture, Sanuzo Nienu, mentioned that during his visits to different districts, he noticed the plantation of tree tomato and sweet cucumber, which are usually planted for personal consumption and local markets, but not for international markets. He stated that registering a GI tag will not only help recognize farmers’ products in Nagaland but also in international markets.
He also mentioned that the Entrepreneurs’ Association and NERAMAC can assist farmers in marketing their products and encourage them to farm tree tomato and sweet cucumber on a larger scale, making it possible to market internationally.
The Director of Horticulture, Meyashashi, explained that a GI is a geographical indication given to a product grown or produced in a particular state or village. He emphasized two important aspects of GI tagging: firstly, GI tagging certifies that a product is produced in a specific way in a particular location and is popular in the area of production, and secondly, GI tagging ensures that only authorized registered users are allowed to use the product.
He also noted that other countries use cucumbers for pickles, salads, medicines, and other purposes. He mentioned that the original documentation for Naga sweet cucumber and Naga tree tomato was done by the Horticulture Department, with the documents submitted through the initiative of NERAMAC. He stated that this GI product will open up new opportunities for farmers and young entrepreneurs to develop the products and begin marketing them. (DIPR)