In a major boost to wheat exports, the first shipment of Geographical Indication (GI) certified Bhalia variety of wheat was exported today to Kenya and Sri Lanka from Gujarat.

Bhalia Wheat

• The GI certified wheat has high protein content and is sweet in taste.
• The crop is grown mostly across Bhal region of Gujarat which includes Ahmadabad, Anand, Kheda, Bhavanagar, Surendranagar, Bharuch districts.
• The unique characteristic of the wheat variety is that grown in the rainfed condition without irrigation and cultivated in around two lakh hectares of agricultural land in Gujarat.
• The Bhalia variety of wheat received GI certification in July, 2011.
• The registered proprietor of GI certification is Anand Agricultural University, Gujarat.

Answer this PYQ in the comment box:

Q.Which of the following has/have been accorded ‘Geographical Indication’ status?

1. Banaras Brocades and Sarees
2. Rajasthani Daal-Bati-Churma
3. Tirupathi Laddu

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Back2Basics: Geographical Indication (GI)

• The World Intellectual Property Organization defines a GI as “a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin”.
• GIs are typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, handicrafts, industrial products, wines and spirit drinks.
• Internationally, GIs are covered as an element of intellectual property rights under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
• They have also covered under the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.

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