Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 02 June 2025
In a significant move to preserve and promote the unique heritage of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, has officially designated the Department of Agriculture, A&N Islands as the Nodal Department for the registration and promotion of Geographical Indication (GI) tagging. The designation came into effect on January 24, 2025, under the latest guidelines issued by the Ministry.
This initiative is aimed at safeguarding the distinctiveness of the Islands’ indigenous products, enhancing their market value, and unlocking economic opportunities for local communities through formal GI recognition.
In accordance with the new guidelines and with the approval of the Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, a State-Level Nodal Committee has been constituted to steer the GI registration process. The committee will be chaired by the Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Agriculture), Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
Further strengthening the initiative, District-Level Nodal Committees (DLNCs) have been established in all three districts—South Andaman, North and Middle Andaman, and Nicobar. Each DLNC is headed by the Deputy Commissioner of the respective district.
The DLNCs will be responsible for identifying unique local products with potential for GI tagging, assisting in the preparation and submission of GI applications, and selecting appropriate applicant organizations such as Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), producer groups, cooperatives, or self-help groups (SHGs). They will also evaluate the performance of existing GI-tagged products and oversee the documentation process, including the collection of technical data, historical context, and traditional knowledge associated with the products.
To raise awareness and build capacity, the committees will conduct training programs and workshops at the district and block levels, targeting farmers and stakeholders. These sessions will focus on the benefits of GI registration and guide participants through the application process.
The move is expected to provide a significant boost to the Islands’ rural economy and strengthen the branding of local heritage products in national and international markets.