The grant of geographical indication status given to certain products enables them to claim a premium for their geographical origin. Two unique rice varieties of Kerela, ‘Palakkadan matta’ and the medicinal ‘Navara rice’ are registered in the Geographical Indication Registry established under the Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. The registration for Navara rice was obtained by the Navara Rice Farmers Society and for the popular rice variety of ‘Palakkadan matta’, Palakkad Matta Farmers Producer Company Ltd. is the registered proprietor of the G.I. Palakkad matta rice. The 10 varieties of Palakkadan matta, will now be considered as the popular Palakkadan matta rice variety. They are: Aryan, Aruvakkari, Chitteni, Chenkazhama, Chettadi, Thavalakanna, Eruppu, Poochamban, Vattan Jyothy, and Kunjukunj. The Palakkaddan matta is described as bold red rice with a unique taste because of its special geographical area and peculiar weather of Eastern wind.

Another rice variety from Kerela, Pokkali, is also on its way for a geographical indication status. The Pokkali Land Development Society and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) are understood to have jointly applied for Geographical Indications (GI) registration for Pokkali rice. It is a salt-water resistant variety of paddy grown in the coastal areas.

The Geographical indication status of these unique rice varieties are not being fully utilized to their potential in the foreign markets due to a ban on export of non-basmati rice to bring some respite from the currently prevailing inflation. According to the news report, the blanket ban excluding the basmati rice variety is seemingly blocking the efforts of local farmer groups trying to create a global market for other varieties that have special characteristics on account of the soil and climate where they are grown. Citing “India’s interest”, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is of the view that the rice issue should be seen in the light of the needs of “our own large population.”

Intellectual property and economic condition is inextricably linked. A robust IP system leading to growth in innovations helps economy to grow. Likewise an economic downgrade stifles intellectual property tools to be taken full advantage of. The ban on export of non-basmati rice seems to be frustrating the efforts of the rice growers to build a market abroad for their unique varieties.

The GI status linked products would help India to get its products noticed in the global markets.