APEDA grants first GI tag in Jammu & Kashmir for basmati rice

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Trade, has granted the first 'Geographical Indication'(GI) tag in Jammu & Kashmir for Basmati Rice. The GI tag has been granted to Sarveshwar Foods Limited, which has become the first and only company based in the region to have the GI tag for basmati rice for export purposes.

"GI tag awarded by the APEDA (Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India) after thorough verification of records, quality of the product, their properties, origin, and procurement, processing procedure adopted by Sarveshwar Foods for its Basmati Rice, and henceforth entitles the company to affix GI Tag on its packaging for export," the company said in a release.

A GI is primarily an agricultural, natural or manufactured product (handicraft and industrial goods) originating from a particular geographical territory.

A product with the coveted geographical indication (GI) is recognised as a genuine and authentic product by the consumers. This will enable the company to penetrate deeper into the international markets and extend its product franchise across the globe.

"It is an honour for the entire team that Sarveshwar Foods Limited has become the first and the only Company from Jammu & Kashmir to obtain Geographical Indication”( GI) from APEDA ( Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India) for Basmati Rice," said Rohit Gupta, chairman of the company.

Sarveshwar Foods Limited (SFL) is a USFDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) certified company. It is engaged in the business of manufacturing, trading, processing, and marketing of branded and un-branded basmati and non-basmati rice in the domestic and international markets.