Post GI listing of Shankarpura jasmine,CITA surveys Udupi farmers

With Shankarpura jasmine,the Udupi flower,attaining a place in the Geographical Indication list.

With Shankarpura jasmine (mallige),the Udupi flower,attaining a place in the Geographical Indication (GI) list,it is expected that the move will boost the income and productivity of small and marginal farmers of Udupi district in Karnataka.

The GI status given to the flower means the produce is limited to a particular region,considering its soil and climatic requirements. It also means that in future,no one from any other territory can claim to own Shankarpura brand of jasmine flower as their own other than the farmers of Udupi. The flower can also not be patented by anyone else.

The GI status battle began with the competition between Bhatkal jasmine and Shankarpura (Udupi jasmine). The recognition campaign was led by Shankarpur farmer Andrew Lobo. Around six months ago,the Centre for International Trade in Agriculture and Agro-based Industries (CITA),a quasi-government body under the Union government,came into the scene to work on the case on a larger scale.

“We have done analysis of the market functionaries,the supply chain and other aspects,considering the point of view of farmers. We expect that the GI recognition will benefit the farmers in a big way if combined with the right technology,” says Bhushan Karandikar,an adviser to the CITA. She has recently submitted her report on the project that she undertook in association with the Bharatiya Vikas Trust,Manipal.

CITA is currently working on a month-long survey as part of which data will be collected about the economic profile of the around 150 farmers of Udupi. The analysis of the data will help derive the conclusion on up to what level the GI status has benefitted the farmers,depending upon the improvement in their income.

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