Odisha files application for GI tag for Kandhamal Haladi

Bhubaneswar: Amidst slow process for applying to get Geographical Indication (GI) status for sweet dessert Rasagola, Odisha has filed application seeking GI tag for Kandhamal Haladi (turmeric).

The application was filed by the Intellectual Property Facilitation Centre (IPFC) of Central Tool Room & Training Centre (CTTC) at GI office in Chennai on Thursday.

Following initiative under Odisha Horticulture Directorate Deputy Director, Kasam members and Kandhamal Collector in the past two months for applying for the GI status to Kandhamal turmeric, the application was finally filed at GI office in Chennai today, said CTTC’s IPFC chief Sachikanta Kar.

It may take one year or above for getting the GI status for the Kandhamal Haladi, he said.

Earlier, Odisha government had formed an eight-member technical committee to file application. Also Read: Odisha forms panel to apply for GI tag for Kandhamal Turmeric

The committee comprised of agriculture scientists, district forest officer, horticulture deputy director, NGO representatives, Kasam’s secretary, CTTC’s Intellectual Property Facilitation Centre (IPFC) head and one advisor of CTTC as members.

The panel had discussed with the local turmeric farmers, Kandhamal collector and farmers belonging to ‘Kasam’ – a farmers’ group following reviewing the quality of turmeric and before submitting a report about the process of filing an application for GI status for Kandhamal Haladi.