CHENNAI: The wait is over. Andhra Pradesh’s pride, the Banganapalle mango, on Wednesday was accorded Geographical Indication (GI) status by the GI Registry in Chennai. Interestingly, the Commissioner of Horticulture, Andhra Pradesh, had filed the application in 2011, back when it was an undivided State.
The coveted status has come at a time when the fruit’s international presence is expanding with the opening-up of new overseas markets. T Sudhakar, Deputy General Manager of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Exports Development Authority, told Express that South Korea, Japan, Iran, New Zealand and Australia are opening doors for import of south Indian mangoes, especially Banganapalle.
“Exports have already started for Japan from Vapour Heat Treatment (VHT) facility in Tirupati. Teams from South Korea and New Zealand have also expressed satisfaction. Overseas importers are particular about fruit fly control and some people ask for irradiation for which we have a facility in Bengaluru. So, Banganapalle is placing itself comfortably in the international market. Getting GI status is an added boost and helps with the branding. For instance, there are different clusters in the State that produce Banganapalle but each tastes different. Ones from the Kurnool cluster and Ulavapadu village in Prakasam district are considered superior due to the local agroclimatic conditions. There is another variety from North Andhra called Suvarnarekha,” he said.
Chiranjiv Chowdhary, Commissioner of Horticulture, Andhra, has expressed happiness over Banganapalle getting the GI certificate. He said that this year, mangoes were cultivated in 3.35 lakh hectares producing 31.64 metric tonnes, of which 60% was Banganapalle. However, he says the State was lagging behind in optimising productivity. For instance, Uttar Pradesh produces 17.2 tonnes per acres, whereas Andhra averages around 11 tonnes per acre. Kurnool, Kadapa, Krishna and Prakasam districts are cultivating Banganapalle in Andhra. In Telangana, Medak, Khammam and Nagarkurnool districts produce it.
It’s also known as Beneshan, Baneshan, Benishan, Chappatai, Safeda and Banginapalli.
Benefit of Geographical Indication registration
Prevents unauthorised use of registered GIs by others
Offers legal protection to Indian GIs which in turn boosts export
Advances economic prosperity of producers of goods produced in a geographical territory