GI tag for Ratnagiri & Devgad alphonso to keep fakes at bay

PUNE: No longer will fruit vendors trick people into buying any mango by passing it off as Ratnagiri or Devgad alphonso.
The Registrar of Geographical Indications has agreed to trademark these special mangoes. GI tag is a government standardisation for products of a specific geographical location. Usually these products are the region’s claim to fame and hence are trademarked.
Ratnagiri and Devgad mangoes face a tough competition from two or three cheaper varieties.The GI tag will ensure that the popular name can be used only by the registered users.
“Farmers won’t have to bear losses when cheaper variety of mangoes are sold as Ratnagiri or Devgad alphonsos. GI tagging will benefit consumers who can be assured of not being cheated,” Ganesh Hingmire, who represents the Kelshi Parisar Amba Utpadak Sahakari Sangha, said.
GI tags will be provided to all the mangoes grown in Ratnagiri district and Devgad taluka, he added.
“After a verbal confirmation from the Registrar of Geographical Indications, the move will be advertised in Geographical Indications Journal published by the government. A certificate will be provided to Kelshi Parisar Amba Utpadak Sahakari Sangha and Devgad Taluka Amba Utpadak Sahakari Sanstha after four months,” Hingmire added.