NABARD in overdrive to support GI products, strengthen infrastructure to protect indigenous brands

Recognising the transformative potential of GI products, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural development (NABARD) has been actively supporting GI initiatives across the country by facilitating GI registration, strengthening producer institutions and promoting post-registration interventions such as branding, marketing, capacity building, market linkages and enterprise development, an official release has said.

The objective is to convert traditional products into sustainable and remunerative livelihood opportunities for rural producers.

Geographical Indication (GI) is an intellectual property right that identifies a product as originating from a specific geographical region, where its unique quality, reputation or characteristics are intrinsically linked to its place of origin.

GI registration protects traditional knowledge, prevents misuse and unauthorized imitation, and enables producers to build strong brands and access premium markets. India has a total of 822 GI registrations, with Karnataka accounting for 51 of these, underscoring the state’s notable share in preserving unique regional products.

In Karnataka, NABARD Regional Office has been playing a strong role in promoting GI products across the State by facilitating the GI registration process for Kari Ishad Mangoes.

During FY 2025-26, four additional products, namely Tiptur Coconut, Hoysala Style Stone Art, SanikatteSalt and KunbiMudli, a climate-resilient tuber from the taro (Colocasia) family, have also been taken up for GI registration support.

Beyond registration, NABARD (Karnataka) is also focusing on strengthening the entire GI value chain, for which support has been extended for the development of a dedicated website for GI-tagged Udupi Sarees, facilitation of post-GI registration of users, exposure visits and capacity-building initiatives for the artisans and weavers of Guledagudda Khana in Bagalkot.

Further strengthening market access, NABARD (Karnataka) has also supported the establishment of a GI Store for Ilkal Sarees at the Aihole Heritage Site in Bagalkot, which is scheduled to be inaugurated shortly.

The store will provide a dedicated platform for showcasing and marketing authentic GI products to domestic and international tourists.

Through these initiatives, NABARD (Karnataka) aims to build a robust ecosystem for GI products encompassing registration, branding, marketing, enterprise development and market linkages.

The overarching vision is to transform Karnataka’s GI-certified products into sustainable, scalable and remunerative livelihood opportunities while preserving the State’s rich cultural heritage and promoting inclusive rural development, the release said, in conclusion.