GI Agri Tag, Support To Farmers

 

Geographical Indications is typical for agriculture products across India. As part of the intellectual property rights that comes under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, the geographical indication or GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.

Recently Lieutenant Governor called for branding of local agricultural produce and allied sector.  The call is welcome as assured marketing of any product as GI is one of the ways to encourage agricultural activities, boost production and ensure resultant increase in individual farm income.

The distinctive identity could be aroma, taste, colour and medicinal value. Recognizing it should be beneficial for the farmers. Not only will it help in having a lucrative domestic market, it will generate a global demand. Hitherto, a peep into government’s efforts would show that the endeavor has not been at par, notwithstanding the fact that the agriculture sector contributes to 30 percent to the GDP of Jammu and Kashmir. It is important to note that two-thirds of the J&K’s population is either directly or indirectly dependent on the agriculture sector. Any fair examination of the government efforts in drawing the younger generations towards the farming sector would pale into insignificance. There is a need to have data assimilation to know precisely as to how many people in fact have left doing agriculture activities for varied reasons, particularly insignificant returns despite the toil and toll it takes.

In the contemporary era of innovations and technology, conventional methods have the little scope and therefore, all such suitable measures should be taken which will make the agriculture profitable and draw young generation towards it. The government’s active intervention is must especially towards sections considered medium and marginal. Subsidies granted to agriculturists are needed but are not only required efforts to achieve the results as that sector remains vulnerable to a host of risks, higher input costs, demand vagaries and even weather vagaries etc.

The families are getting fragmented and per capita holdings are getting plummeted to uneconomical levels which remain a potent threat to increase farm produce. The conversion of agriculture land also remains amongst the bigger threats. Government supports becomes a must in these situations especially in ensuring timely fertilizers, seeds, periodic help and expert advice.

The administration especially its departments have to do a lot including proper monitoring and timely remedial measures for the benefit of the farmers.

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