KOCHI:
A Workshop on GI Products in Kerala was organized by FICCI Kerala State Council along with ATMA Farm Tech to address the basic challenges faced by GI products such as its lack of recognition IP in India. There are around 24 GI products from Kerala and each product is part of the art and culture of regions.
“GI is a collective Property Right. Public Sector has to take responsibility for Registering Products for GI Certifications. This Certification is given to the products which are developed by the generations of certain region using collective knowledge” remarked Dr. P. Indira Devi, Professor, Agri Economics & Director of Research (Rtd), Kerala Agricultural University while rendering Keynote Address at the ‘.
Emphasising the need for constant testing and quality assurance for GI products for branding, she said products should penetrate into overseas markets to fetch more returns. However, the main challenge is that the benefits of GI tag products are reaching only to a limited number of producers. A clear information among the producers and customers with regard to quality of products are lacking. Majority producers are not aware of any marketing strategies.
Experts during the workshop on GI (Geographical Indication) products from Kerala underlined the need for commercial utilisation of GI tag status, besides creating awareness among consumers and producers on all aspects of such products.
Savio Mathew, Head, FICCI Kerala State Council, pointed out that the industry body is carrying out a detailed study on GI products and its infringements. The report would be submitted to the government with detailed recommendations and a plan of action. According to him, applying a false GI tag and selling them are punishable for not less than six months to three years and a fine of ₹50,000 to ₹3 lakh.
According to MP Sanuraj, Managing Director & CEO, ATMA Farm Tech Pvt Ltd, the workshop was conducted to give a new direction to the GI entrepreneurs to reach up to the next level. ATMA Farm Tech has started the online platform to bring all GI products to a single online platform with a focus on taking the products to both upcountry and overseas markets. ATMA could help farmers for marketing and aid manufactures to focus on innovation and production activities, he added.
Manesh Mohan, Senior GeM Business Facilitator, Kerala, Rekha K, Investigator, MSME Development Institute, Thrissur, Manoj Kumar T S, Director, ATMA FARM TECH, Abdul Rasheed, Proprietor, A to Z Packaging, P N Vijayan, Secretary, Anchunadu Karimbu Ulpadhana Vipanana Sangham & also President, Marayoor Jaggery (Marayoor Sharkara) Production & Marketing Industrial Cooperative Society, Haridas, Jilla Secretary, Sugandha Nellulppadaka Karshaka Samithi, Wayanad Jilla – Producer of Wayanad Jeerakashala Rice & Gandhakashala, Prasanth Rajesh, Director, Yeskay Coffee and President, Wayanad Coffee Growers Association of Wayanad Roubusta Coffee Producers explained their success stories. Screening of Chekkutty Pava Video Film provided by Gopinath Parayil – Co-Founder – Chekutty Pava & Founder, The Blue Yonder, Multiple Award-Winning Experiential Travel Company gave realistic representation of the Products and also its Origin and Universal reach to the Participants.
GI Products Manufacturers from all parts of the state participated actively in the FICCI –ATMA Farm Tech Workshop on GI Products in Kerala.
