Content:
In a move that boosts local heritage and rural economy, seven traditional products from West Bengal received Geographical Indication status in 2025.
New Geographical Indication Tags Awarded (2025):
The newly recognized products include:
- Nolen Gurer Sandesh – a seasonal sweet made with chhena and date palm jaggery.
- Baruipur Guavas
- Kamarpukur’s White Bonde
- Murshidabad’s Chhanabora
- Bishnupur’s Motichur Laddoo
- Radhunipagal Rice
- Malda’s Nistari Silk Yarn
Cultural and Economic Significance:
GI status protects product identity and improves market visibility, especially for exports.
Many applications were submitted 2–3 years ago; the recognition now opens up economic opportunities.
Nolen Gurer Sandesh, made from the same jaggery used in Joynagar Moya (GI tagged), is highly popular in winter but has limited shelf life, posing export challenges.
However, modern packaging of jaggery has improved shelf life, enhancing market potential.
Institutions Involved:
Misti Udyog filed applications for sweet items.
Baruipur Farmers Producer Company applied for guavas.
State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (Narendrapur) filed for the rice variety.
Wider Impact and Future Plans:
- West Bengal now has 33 GI-tagged products.
- India has over 500 GI-recognized products to date.
GI applications are in process for:
- Shaktigarh’s Langcha
- Krishnanagar’s Swar Puria
- Ranaghat’s Pantua
- Mograhat’s silver craft
Supporting Ecosystem:
The Federation of Association of Cottage and Small Industries aids GI promotion through collaboration with MSMEs.
Six more applications are pending.
The State Science, Technology, and Biotechnology Department runs awareness drives to support more GI registrations across districts.
Read more: UNESCO added six Indian sites to its tentative list on March 7, 2025, raising India’s total to 62
