After huge efforts for a year, now Shahi Litchi of Muzaffarpur has got official recognition as it receives the geographical indication tag. The sweet, pulpy and juicy Litchi of Bihar is mostly grown in Muzaffarpur, and adjoining areas including East Champaran, Vaishali, Samastipur, and Begusarai districts. The GI registration was done in the name of Litchi Growers Association of Bihar, who had applied for the tag.
“Certified that the Geographical Indication has been registered in the register in the name of Litchi Growers Association of Bihar, Muzaffarpur, Bihar,” read the certificate.
A map is also attached along with the certificate where Shahi litchi-growing districts like East Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Samastipur and Begusarai have been highlighted. Geographical indication is used on a product of specific geographical origin that attains its uniqueness or reputation because of its place of origin. An application needs to be filed in the office of the comptroller general of patents, designs and trademarks.
“The tag will put an effective check on litchi growers of other states like Bengal, Uttarakhand, and Punjab, who have been selling their products as Shahi Litchi. Now, Bihar litchi growers will get exclusive right to market Shahi litchi and it will definitely help them get a better price for their product,” said the President of Litchi Growers Association of Bihar, Bachcha Prasad Singh.
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This tag is achieved after huge efforts of as long as a year. According to a report in The Telegraph, the registration process was initiated a year back for the Shahi Litchi. Even after the completion of the process and product details publications under the patent rights in the government of India’s GI journal, the procedure was left unattended for three months.
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“No objections came during this period following which the tag was accorded to Shahi Litchi,” said R.K. Sohane, director (extension education) at the Bihar Agriculture University in Sabour.
Litchi happens to be the fourth agricultural product for which Bihar has got GI tag. In December last year, three agricultural products Bhagalpuri Zardalu, Katarni rice, and Magahi Paan had been given GI tags.
