New GI recognitions for five more indigenous produce will strengthen farmer livelihoods, protect traditional knowledge and reinforce Goa’s self-reliant agrarian vision
Goa has taken another important step in safeguarding its rich agricultural heritage and traditional knowledge systems with the addition of five new products to its Geographical Indication (GI) portfolio, taking the state’s total GI count to 15. The newly recognised products, two indigenous mango varieties, Goa Hilario (locally known as Manghilar or Mangilar/Mangilal) and Mussarat (also referred to as Monserrate or Musharad), along with the Taleigao Brinjal, Goa Cashew Apple (Kaju Apple), and Korgut Rice; represent centuries of farming wisdom rooted in Goa’s unique geography, climate and cultural practices.
The expansion of the GI list is particularly noteworthy as all five products granted GI recognition this year belongs to the agricultural sector. Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant acknowledged this achievement, stating that GI tags play a crucial role in protecting Goa’s indigenous crops, empowering farmers, enhancing agri-horticultural value chains, and reinforcing the vision of a self-reliant and prosperous Goa. According to him, GI recognition is not merely symbolic but has tangible economic and social benefits for farming communities that have preserved these crops over generations.
On ‘Asmitai Dis’ Dr Sawant felicitated farmers and local stakeholders who played a key role in securing GI tags for various Goan products, highlighting the state’s efforts to preserve its unique heritage.
GI Process and Government Support
The five products have successfully completed the initial stages of scrutiny by the GI Registry and have now entered the mandatory 120-day waiting period following their advertisement by the GI authorities. This period allows for objections or oppositions to be raised before the products receive final registration. Once this stage is completed without any successful opposition, the GI status will be formally granted and authorised users, the genuine producers, can be enrolled.
Deepak Parab, the State Nodal Officer for registration of Geographical Indications, said that the government would take all necessary steps, in collaboration with state, central and other supporting agencies, to promote these newly recognised GI products. He emphasised that focused efforts would be made to empower producers, strengthen market linkages, and ensure that the Swayampurna Goem mission becomes a financially rewarding initiative for farmers and agri-entrepreneurs alike.
Unique characteristics of the newly added GI Products
Each of the five products added to Goa’s GI portfolio carries distinct characteristics closely linked to the region’s geography and traditional practices. Korgut Rice, an heirloom paddy variety cultivated primarily in the low-lying khazan lands of Goa, is valued for its natural salt tolerance. This unique trait allows it to thrive in saline conditions influenced by tidal flows, making it particularly suited to Goa’s coastal agro-ecosystems. Beyond its resilience, Korgut rice holds cultural significance as it has been cultivated for generations using traditional methods adapted to the fragile khazan landscape.
The Taleigao Brinjal, grown for generations in the village of Taleigao, has earned a reputation for its superior texture, flavour and culinary versatility. Local farmers and consumers alike value it not just as a vegetable but as part of the village’s agricultural identity, with seeds traditionally preserved and shared within the community.
The Goa Cashew Apple, commonly known as the Kaju Apple, is inseparable from the state’s iconic Feni industry. Celebrated for its distinctive flavour, aroma and fermentation properties, the cashew apple plays a vital role in the production of traditional Cashew Feni, a spirit that already enjoys GI recognition. Its inclusion underscores the importance of protecting not only finished products but also the raw agricultural inputs that give them their authenticity.
The Mussarat and Hilario mango varieties, once known mainly within select farming communities, have gained renewed interest in recent years for their aromatic qualities, rich taste and regional uniqueness. These mangoes, adapted to local soil and climatic conditions, reflect the diversity of Goa’s horticultural heritage and the need to conserve traditional fruit varieties in the face of changing agricultural trends.
A Broader GI Journey for Goa
The recent additions build on Goa’s earlier successes in securing GI tags for products such as Bebinca, Goan Khajem, Cashew Feni, Khola (Canacona) Chilli, Mancurad Mango, Agassaim Brinjal, Harmal Chilli, Myndoli Banana, Cashew Kernel and the Seven-Ridge Okra. These recognitions have helped place Goa’s traditional foods and agricultural produce on the national and global map, while also strengthening local pride and producer confidence.
Levinson Martins, former Director of the Science and Technology Department, recalled that the GI initiative began five years ago with an initial list of 25 potential products identified for registration. “So far, we have accomplished many from that list,” he said, adding that efforts should continue to ensure that the remaining items also receive due recognition from the GI Registry. He stressed the need for the Science and Technology Department to actively push for heritage products such as the Kunbi Saree, Goan Fish Curry, Goan Bhaji Pão and other unique cultural items to be protected under the GI framework.
According to Martins, GI tags are essential tools to preserve unique products and ensure that farmers, artisans and producers receive fair returns for their labour. He also highlighted the importance of popularising GI products among tourists, who often seek authentic local experiences and souvenirs that reflect the true identity of a destination.
Understanding GI as community-owned IPR
Geographical Indication is a form of intellectual property right that is fundamentally based on community ownership. When people travel, they often look for a specialty that represents the place they are visiting. In the same way, tourists coming to Goa may seek a Kunbi Saree, a slice of Bebinca, a bottle of Feni or traditional Khajem. A GI assures consumers that the product genuinely originates from a specific region and possesses qualities and a reputation intrinsically linked to that geography.
Importantly, a GI does not belong to one individual or company. It belongs collectively to the genuine producers of that region, ensuring that benefits are shared and that traditional knowledge is not monopolised.
Benefits of GI for MSMEs and Traditional Producers
For micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), GI registration offers three major advantages. First, it provides legal protection against misuse and imitation. Second, GIs strengthen community ownership by encouraging producers to work collectively, thereby enhancing their bargaining power in the market. Third, GI tags create a strong identity in export and tourism markets.
Trademarks: A Complementary IPR Tool
Alongside GIs, trademarks are another vital intellectual property tool that MSMEs must understand and utilise. Trademarks protect brand identity, names, logos, symbols, colour combinations, sounds and service marks that distinguish one business from another. Trademark registration helps businesses protect their reputation and market identity. Even micro and small enterprises invest significant time, effort and emotion in building a brand, making that identity a valuable asset. Registered trademarks are also viewed favourably by investors and financial institutions, as they signal long-term business potential and legal preparedness.
The registration process is relatively straightforward. MSMEs benefit from subsidised government fees, currently around `4,500 per mark per class. Once registered, a trademark is valid for ten years and can be renewed indefinitely, providing sustained protection.
Leveraging GI to strengthen Goa’s local economy
For Goa’s farmers, artisans, MSMEs and traditional communities, intellectual property rights may appear technical, but at their core, they are about dignity, identity and fair value. GI tags protect collective heritage and ensure that traditional products are not diluted or misrepresented, while trademarks safeguard individual enterprise identities and brands. If more Goan producers, artisans and startups integrate GIs and trademarks into their long-term business strategies rather than treating them as an afterthought, Goa can strengthen its local brands, preserve its cultural and agricultural legacy, and build a more resilient, self-reliant economy rooted in authenticity and pride
