Unique GI tag

Did you ever wonder about the significance of the GI tag? An acronym for Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 has come into force with effect from 15 September 2003. This tag or patent came into effect as India became a member of WTO. The official definition says, “Indications which identify a good as originating in the territory of a member, or a region or a locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to its geographic origin.” The GI tag ensures that none other than those registered as authorised users are allowed to use the popular product name. Darjeeling tea became the first GI tagged product in India, in 2004-05, since then, 617 have been added to the list.

The latest? The “lifesaver” goat; it has not yet been added but there the Osmanabad district administration is seeking it. It’s a very heartwarming request – it has helped save lives of farmers in in the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions.

When drought comes calling and crops fail, in homes where farmers have committed suicides or landless farmers, it was seen that the families sustained on goat rearing. This breed is said to be hardy, disease resistant, grows quickly, adapts with all types of rearing systems, and possesses a good reproductive capacity and milk production.

Now isn’t that a very unique way to recognize these goats?