The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and the Madurai Agri Business Incubation Forum (MABIF) have facilitated applications seeking Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Sevur Groundnut, Kalakadu Banana, Kallidaikurichi Appalam and Adhanakotai Cashew. IPR attorney P.Sanjai Gandhi filed the applications on behalf of the associations and the facilitators who have sought for GI tag.
The Sevur Nilakkadalai Urpathiyalargal Sangam is the applicant for Sevur Groundnut which is cultivated in Sevur village and its surrounding regions in Kangeyam taluk of Tiruppur. Villages including Padiyur, Nathakkadaiyur, Pappankulam, Nattaramangalam, Uthiyur, and Vellakovil also cultivate these groundnuts. These locations fall under semi-arid zones with red loamy and sandy soils, making them ideal for groundnut cultivation.
Sevur Groundnut is cultivated on around 4,600 acres, extending up to 10,000 acres during peak seasons. The crop is grown once a year. It is sown in September and harvested by November. In areas with well irrigation, it is cultivated twice a year. This particular groundnut has an average yield of 1,000 to 1,200 kg per hectare and in some cases yields can reach 1,500 to 1,800 kg per hectare.
The primary applicant for the Kalakadu Banana is the Kalakadu Banana Urpathiyalargal Sangam. This banana is cultivated in Kalakad region of Tirunelveli. The region’s proximity to the seacoast and its tropical climate creates the perfect environment for banana cultivation. The applicants in the filing mentioned that the humid conditions, combined with the fertile alluvial soils, allow the banana plants to thrive, producing fruits with distinct characteristics that are highly valued in both local and international markets. The Kalakadu Banana is typically 15–18 cm long, 3–4.5 cm in diameter, weighs 100–150 grams.
Kallidaikurichi Appalam is a traditional, handcrafted papad made from finely ground black gram (urad dal), mixed with salt and asafoetida, and prepared using water sourced from the famous Tamirabarani River. The application for this product was filed by the Kallidaikurichi Appalam Urpathiyalargal Sangam. The black gram used is locally cultivated and processed by skilled artisans, many of whom belong to families involved in this business for generations. The product supports numerous cottage industries and provides livelihood opportunities to local communities in this region.
The Adhanakotai Cashew Vaazhai Urpathiyalargal have asked for a GI tag for the Adhanakotai Cashew. The Adhanakotai village located in Pudukkottai is known for its favourable climatic conditions, red loamy soil, and moderate rainfall, which contribute to the growth of high-quality cashew trees. These cashews are traditionally hand-roasted, giving them a distinctive smoky flavour and rich taste.
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Published – May 14, 2025 12:16 am IST