Why Are Experts Recommending GI-Tagging For Goan Cashew Brands?

Goa is known for its stunning beaches, beautiful culture, rich history, happening nightlife, and of course, cashew nuts! However, seeing the high demand for the nuts, industry experts have noted a rise in counterfeit cashew products in Goan markets. Highlighting how this can be a major issue for genuine brands, industry experts have called for urgent actions to protect the state’s cashew. They have suggested Geographical Indication (GI) tagging of authentic Goan cashew brands to stop fake cashews in the markets. Scroll on to know more about this.

Experts Recommend GI-Tagging Authentic Goan Cashew Brands

During the two-day Cashew Fest, organised by the Goa Forest Development Corporation, experts and traders of cashews in the state came under one roof. The fest celebrated Goa’s history and the role of cashews in it. According to O Heraldo, during a technical session, industry experts spoke about the growing issue of fake cashews in Goan markets.

They underscored how counterfeit cashew products are being falsely marketed as “authentic Goan cashew nuts” at many markets in the state. During the session, they emphasised the urgent need to safeguard the integrity of the cashew industry. One of the solutions proposed suggested GI tagging of genuine Goan cashew brands.

The state received a GI tag for its cashew nuts in October 2023. Now, experts believe that GI tagging can serve as a vital tool to distinguish locally grown and high-quality nuts from low-quality, fake ones that are increasingly flooding the local markets.

Many experts suggested blockchain-based tracking systems as well. They shared how this system will provide full traceability of cashew nuts, right from the farms where they are grown to the factories where they are processed, They believe this will bring transparency and authenticity across the supply chain.

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Proposal Forwarded To Higher Authorities

According to Deepak Parab, Nodal Officer, Science and Technology Department, the proposal to GI tag Goan cashews has been sent to the Centre government. He further elaborated that the GI tag will not be issued on an individual basis. Rather, it would be given based on the production unit. Furthermore, a list of three production units from Goa has already been shared with the authorities.

Reports suggested that the issue of low-quality and fake cashews first rose in Goa in 2019. Since then, the problem has been increasing and steps to address it need to be taken soon.

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Let us know your thoughts about this suggestion by industry experts in the comments.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva (representative image)