·
NABARD has supported various channel
partners in the promotion of 538 GI products across the country, of which 176
have already been awarded GI tags by the GI Registry, Government of India.
·
More than 13,000 artisans and producers
have been connected, driving inclusive growth through heritage-based
enterprises.
Mumbai: Reinforcing
its commitment to preserving India’s rich cultural heritage while creating
sustainable livelihood opportunities, NABARD has facilitated the Geographical
Indication (GI) registration of 28 new products across the country. To
date, the institution has supported 176 products in securing GI registration.
The latest additions span a diverse range of traditional handicrafts, handloom
textiles, bamboo crafts, metalwork, pottery, paintings, and musical
instruments, further strengthening India's portfolio of region-specific
products with legal protection and global market potential.
Among the newly registered products
are Nalanda Bawanbuti Saree and Fabrics and Gaya Pattharkatti Stone
Craft from Bihar; Kuchai Silk Saree and Fabrics from Jharkhand; Ba
Shilp (Bamboo Craft) and Bihu Pepa from Assam; Himachal Wood
Carving Craft; and Khajuraho Metal Craft from Madhya Pradesh, along
with several other traditional products from across the country.
Commenting on this achievement, Dr.
Shaji Krishnan V., Chairman, NABARD, said, “Geographical Indication
registration is a powerful instrument for protecting traditional knowledge,
promoting local entrepreneurship, and creating value for rural producers.
NABARD remains committed to strengthening GI-based value chains through producer
collectivisation, skill development, enterprise promotion, branding, market
linkages, and export facilitation, ensuring that India’s unique heritage
translates into lasting economic opportunities.”
NABARD's GI-led
interventions have helped connect more than 13,000 artisans and producers to
higher-value domestic markets, strengthening rural livelihoods and enhancing
the commercial potential of traditional products. Through NABARD-supported GI value chains and
associated enterprises, the initiative has generated more than 50,000 direct
jobs. A total of 14 Rural Enterprise Producer Organisations (REPOs)
are engaged in the production and promotion of various GI products across Madhya
Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, and Gujarat.
Further strengthening the Geographical
Indications (GI) ecosystem, NABARD has supported the establishment of GI
Facilitation Centres at the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India
(EDII), Ahmedabad; Bihar Agricultural University, Bihar; and the Madurai Agri
Business Incubation Forum (MABIF), Tamil Nadu. These centres provide
end-to-end support for GI registration and post-registration activities,
enabling artisans and producer groups to protect, promote, and commercialise
their unique products.
NABARD also
supported the establishment of a GI Store at Aihole, Karnataka, creating a
dedicated platform to showcase and market GI-certified products. Through investments in branding, quality
enhancement, digital commerce, market linkages, and institutional
strengthening, NABARD is helping traditional products command premium prices
while creating sustainable livelihoods and preserving India’s cultural
heritage. These interventions aim to improve market access, enhance product
visibility, and enable artisans to access higher-value domestic and global
markets.