India had exported GI certified Jardalu mangoes from Bhagalpur, Bihar to the UK earlier this week

In another boost to the export of Geographical Indications (GI) certified agricultural produce from India, a consignment of fibre and mineral rich ‘Jalgaon banana’ has been exported to Dubai.

The consignment of twenty-two metric tonnes of GI certified Jalgaon banana were sourced from progressive farmers of Tandalwadi village in Jalgaon district of Maharashtra, a banana cluster identified under the Agri Export Policy, said the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

In 2016, Jalgaon Banana got GI certification which was registered with Nisargraja Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Jalgaon. India’s banana export has been rising sharply because of adoption of farm practices as per the global standards.

A Geographical Indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place.

The country’s banana exports grew both in terms of volume as well as value from 1.34 lakh metric tonne valued at Rs 413 crore in 2018-19 to 1.95 lakh metric tonne valued at Rs 660 crore in 2019-20. During 2020-21 (April-February), India has exported banana worth of 1.91 lakh tonne valued at Rs 619 crore.

Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh contribute more than 70% of the country's banana production.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) promotes exports of agricultural and processed food products by providing assistance to the exporters under various components of its scheme such as Infrastructure Development, Quality Development and Market Development.

On Tuesday, APEDA, in collaboration with the Bihar government, Indian High Commission and Invest India exported the first commercial consignment of (GI) certified Jardalu mangoes from Bhagalpur, Bihar to the United Kingdom. With distinct aroma and taste, Jardalu mangoes from Bhagalpur district of Bihar received GI certification in 2018.

APEDA has been conducting virtual buyer-seller meets and festivals to promote mango exports. It recently organised a mango festival in Berlin, Germany as well as in Japan in collaboration with Indian embassies.