Bydagi chilli, a variety of chilli mainly grown in northern districts of Karnataka, may soon get geographical indication (GI) certification soon.
Produced in mainly nine districts including Bellary, Haveri, Shimoga and Chitradurga (Bydagi region), the chilli is essentially sweet not spicy in test and used by the Oleoresin industry as oleoresin extracted from these chillies is used in food, confectionaries, cosmetic and beverage industry.
The Bydagi chilli is a known variety similar to the Guntur chilli in Andhra Pradesh and used as an important spicy ingredient for preparing foodstuffs and for extraction of red coloured oil called Oleoresin. Manufacturers in the United States and Europe use this oil to make nail polish and lipstick.
?An unique feature of the chilly is the negligible pungency attributed to the negligible presence of capsaicin which causes sensation in other chillies,? GK Muthukumaar, senior associate of Chennai-based law firm Anand & Anand who has filed GI application said. The GI application has been filed on behalf of Spices Board with GI registry of India. As per the GI act, a person caught infringing a registered GI is liable for imprisonment of 6 months to 3 years apart from fine which may vary from a minimum of Rs.50,000/- to a maximum of Rs. 2 lakhs.
Muthukumaar said surfacing of fake Bydagi chillies in the market is affecting the interests of farmers from Karnataka as the chilly variety commands huge premium in the international market. The GI registry is currently processing the application for Bydagi chilly.
Traders attribute qualities of the chillies to traditional organic cultivation through minimum use of fertiliser and pesticides. During every season traders from all over the country visit the market to buy the produce at a premium price, as the quality of the produce is high compared to those grown from other areas.
Many traders attribute the good quality to ?traditional organic cultivation or minimum use of fertilisers and pesticides. A majority of the farmers market their produce in the Byadagi market at Haveri district
The business involving Byadgi chillis has one of the biggest turnover amongst all chilly varieties in the country. Last year, the production of Bydagi chilly was to the tune of 82,010 tonne while the domestic consumption is estimated to be more than 16,000 tonne.
?While around 9,000 tonne is exported, the rest of about 57,000 tonne goes to Oleoresin industry,? Muthukumaar said. In 2007-08, the export of Oleoresin from the country was worth Rs 200 crore. GI is a product associated with a certain region and can not be used by similar products from other regions like Darjeeeling tea and Champagne.
If granted GI certification, Bydagi chilly would join 97 other products like Darjeeling Tea, Kullu Shawl, Kancheepuram Silk, Kollhapuri Chappal, Mysore Sandalwood Soap, Poddar Diamond, Alleppey Green Cardamom, Udupi Jasmine, Tanjavur Paintings, Thanjavur Art Plate, Sikki Grass products of Bihar etc which had been granted GI registration till date in the country. At present 144 applications for GI registration is being examined and processed by the Chennai based GI Registry of India.
However, only Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and a few north eastern states account for a bulk of applications for GI registration.