NERAMAC secures exclusivity tag for Sikkim’s large cardamom

Sikkim’s Large Cardamom plantations may be keeping poor health, but the cash crop has now been officially attested as being Sikkim’s own. This, following the GI tag from Chennai-based Geographical Indication Registry secured for Sikkim Large Cardamom and eight other products of the North East by the North East Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Ltd [NERAMAC]. The registration came through on 30 March, bringing to fruition an initiative begun four years ago by NERAMAC “to protect exclusive, special local crops of NE Region and to help in branding & marketing”.
Executive Director, NERAMAC Ltd, S Bhattacharjee, informs that the following nine crops have received GI Registration following a 4-year pursuit by NERAMAC: Assam Karbi Anglong Ginger, Assam Tezpur Litchi, Meghalaya Khasi Mandarin, Sikkim Large Cardamom, Mizoram Bird Eye Chilli, Manipur Kachai Lemon, Tripura Queen Pineapple, Arunachal Orange and Nagaland Tree Tomato.
“You will agree that this will certainly pave way for better branding and marketing of these products both in domestic & international markets besides protecting local crops. This will also help to showcase exclusivity of these products,” Mr. Bhattacharjee highlights.
He goes on to share that the “process of arranging registration was never easy, as in NE Region very less documentation of products is available which is a must need for application processes”.