GI tagging of honey to help consumers get quality products of desired traits and assuring authenticity
A meeting on application and use of Geographical Indication (GI) of honey was organised recently, under the chairmanship of Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Additional Secretary, Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers welfare at Krishi Bhawan.
Dr Likhi mentioned that National Bee Board (NBB) will support stakeholders to get GI Tag for different types of honey with support from State Governments and other stakeholders. He said that GI Tagging will immensely help in uplifting the beekeeping community as after the Tag, beekeepers can further proceed for value addition in honey & other beehive products.
India is currently producing about 1,33,000 Metric Tonnes (MTs) of honey (2021-22) and India has also become one of the main honey exporting country. India has exported 74,413.05 MT of honey worldwide during 2021-22.
Dr Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner, Govt. of India mentioned that for holistic development of beekeeping, thrust is also needed to boost honey marketing at national as well as at international level.
Image credit- istock