GI registered crops of northeast India: Needs and focus

Abstract

Geographical Indication (GI) is an essential option for protecting the intellectual property rights of commercially important agricultural crops originated from specific geographical area and associated traditional knowledge in making the commodities distinguished based on their unique characteristics. During last two decades, various institutions and state agencies have taken proactive role in protecting the signature crops through GI registration. As per Sec 2 (f) of GI Act 1999, total 420 commodities have been GI tagged from April 2004 to March 2022 by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademark, Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. Of these, 128 commodities (30.47% of total GI registrations) come under agricultural crop category.