Bhubaneswar: The famous Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal of Odisha received the geographical indication (GI) tag from the Centre.

An advertisement in this regard has been issued by the Geographical Indications Registry on its official website.

The Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology (OUAT) on behalf of Neelamadhab Krushi Sangathan at Banapur under Khandapada Block in Nayagarh district, had applied in 2021 to get GI tag for the Kanteimundi Brinjal.

Originated from Badabanapur and Ratnapur area of Khandapada block and Dhanchangda, Laxmiprasad, Kumundi and Fategarh area of Bhapur block, the vegetable is cultivated entire in the district. It is largely grown in Kantilo area in Nayagarh.

Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal is a tasteful vegetable with lots of prickly thorns on it as well as the whole plant. It is green in colour and round in shape containing more seeds as compared to other genotypes.

The vegetable crop is cultivated in the sandy soil and having unique taste, flavor. It is attributed to the skill of the local
growers who have been cultivating this crop for more than 100 years. The crop is confined to Nayagarh district.

The 'Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal' is famous for its unique taste and quick cooking quality than other varieties of the brinjal species. The plant is resistant to major insects, pests and diseases. This crop is grown both in the Kharif and Rabi seasons.

Besides, the Geographical Indications Registry has granted the GI tag to Odisha's three more products. These were 'Gajapati Date Palm Jaggery', 'Dhenkanal Magji' and 'Mayurbhanj Kai Chutney'.