Chennai, Sep 1: The Tamil Nadu government is set to seek Geographical Indication (GI) tags for 10 agricultural products from different parts of the state, in a move aimed at giving greater recognition to region-specific farm produce and strengthening their identity in domestic and wider markets.
Agriculture Minister R Vinoth announced that the government will initiate the process for GI recognition for Kancheepuram Parimilagai, Poyyur Kathiri from Nagapattinam, Chidambaram Black Gram, Karumandurai Kadukkai, Thiruvaiyaru Elai Vazhai, Eraiyur Karunai Kilangu, Cuddalore Vettiver, Manapparai Brinjal, Ooty Garlic and Javvadhu Pei Sesame.
These products represent the diverse agricultural traditions of Tamil Nadu, with their names and characteristics closely associated with the regions where they are produced. The proposed GI recognition is expected to provide formal geographical identification to the products and help preserve their distinct identity.
The state government has earmarked Rs 30 lakh for obtaining GI recognition for the 10 products. The initiative is aimed at giving locally distinctive agricultural products greater visibility and strengthening the value attached to their geographical origin.
Alongside the GI initiative, the government is taking steps to improve agricultural infrastructure, particularly facilities for storing and preserving seeds. Nine new seed storage godowns will be established across seven districts at a cost of Rs 11.64 crore.
The facilities will be set up at Kattuthottam and Pattukkottai in Thanjavur district, Nagamangalam in Mayiladuthurai, Vellalaviduthi in Pudukkottai, Papparapatti in Dharmapuri, Danishpet in Salem, Madathukulam in Tiruppur, and Kanchikudikadu and Keerandhi in Tiruvarur.
The new godowns will help maintain the quality, germination capacity and vigour of seeds procured from farmers, providing better storage infrastructure and supporting the availability of quality seeds.
The government is also focusing on improving efficiency in the cooperative sugar sector. Modern swing-type fibrizer units with motors will be installed at the Kallakurichi-I Cooperative Sugar Mill at Moongilthuraipattu and the Tiruttani Cooperative Sugar Mill at Thiruvalangadu at a total cost of Rs 8.58 crore.
The new machinery will replace existing low-efficiency fibrizers and is expected to reduce sugar losses in bagasse while improving sugar recovery at the two cooperative mills.
In another measure to support farmers, the state will allocate Rs 60 lakh for trial cultivation of high-pungency chilli varieties in irrigated areas.
The trial programme will cover Virudhunagar, Thoothukudi, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, Tenkasi and Tirunelveli districts. These areas have faced challenges in chilli cultivation because of inadequate rainfall, making the introduction and assessment of suitable high-pungency varieties an important agricultural initiative.
The combination of GI applications, improved seed storage, modernisation of sugar mills and trials of new chilli varieties reflects the state government’s focus on strengthening agricultural infrastructure while giving greater recognition to traditional and region-specific farm products.
The GI initiative, in particular, could help establish a stronger market identity for the 10 agricultural products and preserve their connection with the communities and regions where they are traditionally cultivated and produced.