Gujarat secured Cumin, Fennel GI tags via misleading claims’, say Rajasthan farmers seeking revocation

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Jaipur: Western Rajasthan is widely known for producing high-quality cumin and fennel, but farmers now fear that the identity of these crops could be overshadowed following the recent grant of Geographical Indication (GI) tags for ‘Unjha Cumin’ and ‘Unjha Fennel’ to the Unjha Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Gujarat’s Mehsana district.

The decision by the GI Registry in Chennai has sparked strong objections from farmers, agricultural experts, and scientists in Rajasthan.

They contend that Unjha is India’s largest spice trading hub rather than a production region, and therefore should not qualify for a GI tag, which is intended to recognise products whose unique characteristics are intrinsically linked to their geographical place of origin.

The Jodhpur-based South Asia Biotechnology Centre has submitted a detailed objection to the GI Registry, seeking a review and revocation of the GI tags.

According to the institute, if the registrations remain in force, cumin and fennel cultivated by lakhs of farmers in Rajasthan could ultimately be marketed under the Unjha identity because much of the produce is traded there.

The institute argues that this could dilute Rajasthan’s agricultural identity and adversely affect farmers’ ability to command premium prices.

Farmers from Undu village in Barmer district as well as from the Pindwara region of Sirohi district argue that the Unjha Fennel GI tag could overshadow the distinct identity of Rajasthan-grown fennel.

Farmers and experts opposing the GI registration have certain points saying that Unjha is India’s largest trading market for cumin and fennel, but not the principal cultivation region. Farmers from Rajasthan have sold their produce in Unjha for decades, contributing to the market’s large trading volumes.

GI tags are intended to recognise products whose distinctive qualities arise from the geography, climate, and traditional production practices of a specific region but not from the scale of commercial trade.

If the registrations remain unchanged, produce cultivated in Rajasthan may increasingly be marketed under the Unjha identity, potentially weakening Rajasthan’s own agricultural brand, they added.

According to the objectors, the dispute extends beyond trade and pricing. They argue that Rajasthan farmers may receive lower prices if their produce is identified primarily with the Unjha brand.

The distinct identity of Rajasthan’s cumin and fennel varieties could gradually diminish. The registrations could complicate future efforts to obtain separate GI recognition for Rajasthan-grown cumin and fennel.

Dr. Bhagirath Choudhary, Founder Director of the South Asia Biotechnology Centre, said the issue concerns the Intellectual Property and geographical rights of farmers.

He argued that GI protection should be granted to products based on their place of cultivation and the unique natural and traditional characteristics associated with that region.

Granting GI recognition primarily on the basis of a market’s commercial reputation, he said, would undermine the core purpose of the GI system and could adversely affect producers in cultivation regions across the country.

The objection submitted to the GI Registry seeks revocation of the existing registrations and recognition of Western Rajasthan’s cumin and fennel under an appropriate geographical indication.

–IANS