Gol Grants GI Tag to Bihar Mithila Makhana to Boost Farmers’ Income

The Government of India (Gol) has awarded Mithila Makhana from Bihar 2 Geographical Indication (GI) tag, which would enable farmers to get the maximum price for their premium produce.
This decision is anticipated to benefit over five lakh farmers in the Mithila region of Bihar.

Key Points:

• The GI has been registered under the name of Mithilanchal Makhana Utpadak Sangh, facilitated by Bihar Agricultural University.
• Generally, such a name provides a sense of quality and uniqueness that is mostly attributed to its origin.
• People outside of Bihar would be allowed to use this auspicious material with reverence due to GI Tag to Mithila Makhana in the festive season.

• A GI is primarily a product that comes from a specific geographical location, whether it be a manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods), a natural product, or an agricultural product.
• After a product receives a GI tag, no individual or company may sell a similar item under that name. This tag is valid for 10 years, after which it can be renewed.
• Other advantages of GI registration include legal protection for the item, prohibition of unauthorised use by others, and promotion of exports.
• Some of the well-known products that bear GI tag: Basmati rice, Darjeeling Tea (West Bengal), Chanderi Fabric (Madhya Pradesh), Mysore Silk (Karnataka), Kullu Shaw! (Himachal Pradesh), Kangra Tea (Himachal Pradesh), Thanjavur Paintings (Tamil Nadu), Allahabad Surkha Guava (Uttar Pradesh), Farrukhabad Prints (Uttar Pradesh), Lucknow Zardozi (Uttar Pradesh) and Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving (Jammu & Kashmir)