Malihabadi mangoes get GI status

There is good news for mango growers of Malihabadi in Uttar Pradesh! The National Horticulture Board will take steps to commercialise the world-famous mangoes of the place with their new geographical indicators (GI) status. Recently, the National Horticulture Board (NHB), Union food and agriculture minister Sharad Pawar said mangoes grown in Malihabadi have got a GI identity and the NHB will take steps to commercialise the commodity with its new status. “The NHB will take steps for converting this legal status into commercial gains for producers of Dashahri mangoes in Malihabad and adjoining areas in Uttar Pradesh,” said Mr Pawar. Malihabad is the mango belt in UP where 90% of the people are engaged in growing the fruit. Mangoes from Malihabad are sold in various parts of the country as well as exported to the US and other nations. Mr Pawar said: “The NHB is on its way to getting GI registration for wine produced in the Nashik-Pune-Sangli belt in Maharashtra.” After receiving GI status, it may be named as ‘Sahayadri wine’, he said. GI, a sign used for a product that corresponds to a specific location or origin, may certify that the commodity possesses certain qualities, or enjoys a certain reputation by virtue of its origin.