Unjha Cumin And Fennel Receive GI Tag. Here’s How it Benefit Farmers?

Unjha cumin and fennel, two of Gujarat’s key spice crops, have been granted the (Geographical Indication) GI tag by the Geographical Indications Registry, a move expected to boost their branding, enhance export prospects and help farmers secure better price realisation. The state government said on Monday that the GI registration was secured through a joint effort involving the Unjha Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), the Gujarat government’s Department of Horticulture and Farmers’ Welfare, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, and the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India. The GI tag accords official recognition to the two spices as products originating from the Unjha region of north Gujarat, known as one of India’s largest spice trading hubs. The certification offers legal protection against misuse of the products’ geographical identity while enhancing their credibility in domestic and international markets.

How GI tag expected to boost farmer incomes?

According to the government, GI-tagged products can command a 20-30 per cent premium over comparable non-GI products owing to their certified origin and quality, potentially improving returns for farmers and boosting value addition in the spice supply chain. Notably, Gujarat is India’s largest producer of cumin and among the leading producers of fennel, with both crops concentrated in the state’s arid and semi-arid northern districts, such as Mehsana, Patan, Banaskantha and Gandhinagar. Unjha, home to one of Asia’s largest spice markets, serves as the principal trading hub for cumin and fennel, with produce from Gujarat and neighbouring Rajasthan channelled through its Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC). In addition, India is also the world’s largest producer and exporter of cumin, with Gujarat accounting for a significant share of the country’s output and exports.

How GI Recognition Boosts Exports?

Moreover, this recognition comes at a time when India is looking to expand exports of value-added agricultural products and promote region-specific brands in overseas markets. With the latest additions, Gujarat has expanded its portfolio of GI-tagged agricultural products, which already include such as Gir Kesar mango, Bhalia wheat, Kachchhi Kharek and Amalsadi chikoo. According to Officials, GI recognition is expected to enhance market access, support exports, and boost the global identity of Gujarat’s spice products, along with protecting the region’s agricultural heritage.