Shahi Litchi Grown In Bihar Gets Geographical Indication Tag

Grown in five regions of Bihar, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Samastipur, Champaran and Begusarai, Shahi Litchi has been given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag reports F&B News. This makes it the fourth food product to be given the tag, the other three being Jardalu mango, Katarni rice and Maghai paan. The statement of the tag given to Shahi Litchi came directly from the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).

Shahi Litchi Gets GI Tag

“GI is an exclusive recognition given to a particular product. Shahi Litchi of Bihar is a one-of-its-kind variant from the state,” said Vishal Nath, director, ICAR-National Research Centre on Litchi, Bihar while speaking to the media reports F&B News. “The tag will improve the demand for the fruit and reduce the fear of fake and poor-quality litchis. The GI tag for the fruit will help and benefit thousands of litchi growers, who will gain access to more markets and get better price in the country and overseas.”

The report further said that the registration for the GI tag was made in the name of Muzaffarpur-based Litchi Growers’ Association of Bihar. The five aforementioned regions and the surrounding areas can claim for the litchi. The report also reveals that 40 percent of the country’s litchi comes from Bihar and grows in 35 percent of the area. “After the process was completed, details of the product were published in June under the patent rights in the Government of India’s Geographical Indication journal. They were open to objections for a period of three months. No objection was received within the said period. We are happy that the variant has got recognition,” added Nath while speaking to F&B News.