Balanagar custard apple inches closer to GI tag
HYDERABAD: Farmers and officials on Monday submitted an application seeking the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the world-famous Balanagar custard apple, marking the 19th GI application from Telangana.
The application was filed by GI practitioner Subhajit Saha of Resolute4IP on behalf of three key farmer-based organisations — Pomal Farmer Producer Company Ltd, Balanagar Farmer Producer Company Ltd, and Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society — with support from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
The Balanagar custard apple is renowned for its thick rind, high pulp content, minimal seeds, naturally sweet flavour, and extended shelf life — characteristics that set it apart from other varieties and make it ideal for both fresh consumption and industrial use.
This move places the Balanagar variety as the fourth custard apple in India to seek or obtain a GI tag, alongside Beed custard apple (Maharashtra), Seoni sitaphal (Madhya Pradesh), and Kanker custard apple (Chhattisgarh).
'This GI initiative underscores how formal recognition can create value at the grassroots level while reinforcing Telangana's position as a hub for high-quality, origin-linked produce,' said Subhajit Saha, expressing gratitude for the support extended by Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University (SKLTGHU).
He added that the state is preparing to file six to eight additional GI applications for products in the handicrafts and horticulture sectors in the coming days.
SKLTGHU V-C Danda Raji Reddy, said the university is committed to preserving Telangana's heritage horticultural crops and that further GI applications will be filed after thorough field investigations and consultations with farmers.
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New Indian Express
16 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Balanagar custard apple inches closer to GI tag
HYDERABAD: Farmers and officials on Monday submitted an application seeking the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the world-famous Balanagar custard apple, marking the 19th GI application from Telangana. The application was filed by GI practitioner Subhajit Saha of Resolute4IP on behalf of three key farmer-based organisations — Pomal Farmer Producer Company Ltd, Balanagar Farmer Producer Company Ltd, and Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society — with support from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). The Balanagar custard apple is renowned for its thick rind, high pulp content, minimal seeds, naturally sweet flavour, and extended shelf life — characteristics that set it apart from other varieties and make it ideal for both fresh consumption and industrial use. This move places the Balanagar variety as the fourth custard apple in India to seek or obtain a GI tag, alongside Beed custard apple (Maharashtra), Seoni sitaphal (Madhya Pradesh), and Kanker custard apple (Chhattisgarh). 'This GI initiative underscores how formal recognition can create value at the grassroots level while reinforcing Telangana's position as a hub for high-quality, origin-linked produce,' said Subhajit Saha, expressing gratitude for the support extended by Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University (SKLTGHU). He added that the state is preparing to file six to eight additional GI applications for products in the handicrafts and horticulture sectors in the coming days. SKLTGHU V-C Danda Raji Reddy, said the university is committed to preserving Telangana's heritage horticultural crops and that further GI applications will be filed after thorough field investigations and consultations with farmers.
Hindustan Times
21 hours ago
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Yogi Adityanath lauds Bhadohi carpet industry's resurgence
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The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
GI application filed for Balanagar Custard Apple
Balanagar Custard Apple, a custard apple variety that grows wild in three districts of Telangana, has been pitchforked for a Geographical Indications tag on Monday. A filing with the Geographical Indications Registry shows the application number 1569 filed on behalf of three farm-based organisations, including a farm produced company, an agriculture cooperative society, and horticulture university. 'We identified the uniqueness of the variety by analysing the micro and macro nutrients found in the custard apple that is grown in five mandals of Mahbubnagar, three mandals of Rangareddy and three mandals of Vikarabad. Because of the rocky terrain and weathering, the nutrient profile of the Balanagar custard apple is different,' said Saidaiah Pidigam of Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University. The scientific documentation of the fruit's unique agro-morphological characteristics shows how its cultivation in a non-commercial manner in areas that are not irrigated marks it out. 'Irrigation and use of fertilizer makes the custard apple insipid. As the Balanagar variety grows in only rain-fed areas, its flavour profile is robust,' informed Saidaiah Pidigam. The application was filed by GI practitioner Subhajit Saha of Resolute4IP on behalf of Pomal Farmer Producer Company Limited, Balanagar Farmer Producer Company Limited, and The Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society, with funding support from NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development). 'The GI tag is expected to provide legal protection, strengthen brand identity, and open premium domestic and international market access for the Balanagar Custard Apple,' informed Mr. Saha.
