Panaji: By the end of this year, Goa’s cashew nuts will reflect the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, offering them a distinct identity, said GFDC chairperson and MLA Deviya Rane. She was speaking on the sidelines of announcing the Goa Cashew Fest, to be held at DB grounds from April 25 to 27.
“Once the GI tag is marked, only authentic and high-grade cashews of Goan origin will be sold as Goan cashews,” she said. The GI tag for Goa cashew (kernel) was registered on Oct 3, 2023. Currently, SOPs are being prepared by the department of science and technology to have this tag reflected on the authentic products. “This will allow the processor to put the GI mark on the cashews,” said nodal officer for patent facilitation Deepak Parab.
Rane also highlighted the issue of cashews of non-local origin being sold as Goan cashews. “The Goan cashew is a brand, and its authenticity should be maintained. We should retain its status, for which there is a need to put an end to the distribution of spurious cashews in the state. I have written to govt in this regard, following which the FDA has been carrying out raids, especially in North Goa. Several traders were caught with spurious cashews, and many shops were closed,” she said.
GI is an important tool under Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities and reputation that are due to that origin of the area.
