Jammu farmers demand GI certification for Basmati rice, days after saffron was issued tag

Days after government of India issued a certificate of GI registration for saffron grown in Kashmir valley, farmers across Jammu region demanded why ir famed basmati rice has t been given a similar certification.

While terming decision of issuance of certificate of GI registration for saffron grown in Kashmir Valley as a "momentous decision", Lt Goverr GC Murmu h said that this is first major step to put saffron produced in Kashmir Valley on world map with auntication.  

"With GI tag, Kashmir Saffron will acquire more prominence in export market and would help farmers get best remunerative price", he said.

However, farmers across Jammu region which are kwn over world for famed Basmati rice rue that it has been ir long-pending demand to government of India to issue a GI registration for ir Basmati.

"We produce world famous Basmati rice, which has a unique flavour and unique aroma which is t available anywhere else in world. Basmati rice of RS Pura in Jammu is exported to several countries, but we still don't have a GI registration", Rohit Singh, a farmer leer in RS Pura said. 

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GI certification

GI certification establishes specific geographical origin and certifies certain unique qualities of product.   GI certification enables those who have right to use signs in order to prevent third parties using sign.  This GI certification would also stop prevalent ulteration of Kashmir Saffron and reby aunticated Saffron will fetch much better prices.

"People sell fake Basmati rice claiming it to be Jammu Basmati rice which brings a b name for farmers here and affect our business, we urge Lt Goverr to take up our issue with Union Government and help us get GI registration for our rice as well", Kuljeet Singh ar farmer from RS Pura said.

While Kashmir Saffron is only one in world growing at an altitude of 1600 meters, which ds to its uniqueness and differentiate it from or saffron varieties due to its unique characteristics like longer and thicker stigma, natural deep-red color, high aroma, bitter flavor, chemical-free processing, and high-quality color strength, flavor and bitterness.

Jammu Basmati too has several unique qualities which are exclusive to produce from RS Pura.

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