Exclusive: GI crop growers in state to get special subsidies and training from state marketing board

Pune: For the promotion and branding of Geographical Indication (GI) crops, in a first of its kind initiative, the state marketing board has started an initiative to provide the training and subsidy to the GI crops growers in the state. A budget of Rs 315 lakh has been allocated for the same.

A GI is an indication that is used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that is due to the origin. 24 agricultural products in the state have the GI tag and 27 growers association that are working in that.

"This is a first of its kind initiative taken by any state marketing board for growers of GI tagged agriculture products. Since Maharashtra has the highest GI agriculture products, such initiative has been taken to help in providing the training with the growers and also help in the promotion and branding of their products," said Sunil Pawar, Director of Marketing and Managing Director of Maharashtra State Agriculture Marketing Board (MSAMB).

He further said, "A total fund of 315 lakh has been allocated for this year which will be used in the training for the growers for capacity building. A 50 per cent subsidy will be given the growers in registration and also the funds will be used in the marketing, packaging, website building etc. It is very important to provide these things to the GI growers as it will help them in getting a premium price."

Welcoming the decision, Ajit Gogate, Chairman, Devgad Taluka Mango Growers Cooperative Society said, "The state marketing board has taken the great initiative of providing financial aid to the GI growers. It was our demand for really long and GI expenses are too much from registration to branding. Therefore, such intervention from the government will help the growers."

Good decision but should reach to the masses

Ganesh Hingmire, GI Expert said, "It is a good initiative that finally something is happening for GI products. However, it should reach to the masses and the real beneficiary must get benefited from it. The consistency of this initiative should be maintained so that maximum benefits can be given to the growers."

Hingmire who played an instrumental role in all the 24 GI agriculture products in the state feels the policymakers should also pay attention to the inspection body. He said, "It is important to train the GI growers but special attention to inspection body is also very important as it helps to maintain the quality of any GI produce which is very essential for any GI agri-produce. This will also help in fetching the premium price for the growers."