About Goan Cashew

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Context:

Recently, Goan cashew (kernel) got the geographical indication (GI) tag.

Relevance:

GS III: Indian Economy

Dimensions of the Article:

Cashew is a significant plantation crop in India.
It was originally native to northeast Brazil in Latin America and was introduced to Goa by the Portuguese in the 16th century, specifically in 1570.
Upon its introduction to the Indian coasts, cashew was primarily seen as a crop for afforestation and soil conservation.
In Goa, it occupies the largest area among horticultural crops.

Soil and Climate: Well-drained deep sandy loam soils are most suitable for cashew cultivation. Generally, various soil types, from sandy to laterite, are well-suited for this crop.
- It thrives in the hot and humid conditions of the Indian coastal areas.
Temperature: Cashew grows well in temperatures ranging from 20°C to 38°C.
Relative Humidity: Ideal relative humidity falls in the range of 60% to 95%.
Rainfall: Annual precipitation should typically range from 2000mm to 3500mm.
Low temperatures and frost are not favorable for cashew plantations.
Cashew cultivation is expanding to non-traditional areas in the plains of Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, and certain parts of the North East hill region.

Geographical Indications of Goods indicate the country or place of origin of a product.
They assure consumers of the product’s quality and distinctiveness derived from its specific geographical locality.
GI tags are an essential component of intellectual property rights (IPRs) and are protected under international agreements like the Paris Convention and TRIPS.

Geographical Indications registration in India is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
The registration and protection are administered by the Geographical Indication Registry under the Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade (DIPIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The registration is valid for 10 years, and it can be renewed for further periods of 10 years each.

GI tags provide a unique identity and reputation to products based on their geographical origin.
The first product in India to receive a GI tag was Darjeeling tea.
Karnataka has the highest number of GI tags with 47 registered products, followed by Tamil Nadu with 39.

Any association, organization, or authority established by law can be a registered proprietor of a GI tag.
The registered proprietor’s name is entered in the Register of Geographical Indication for the applied product.
Protection and Enforcement:
Geographical Indications protect the interests of producers and prevent unauthorized use of the product’s name or origin.
Enforcement of GI rights helps maintain the quality and reputation of the products associated with their specific geographical regions.

-Source: Indian Express