To boost economic strategy, Tamil Nadu is close to finalizing a new policy on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), focusing also on protecting regional product recognitions. This came up during a summit at Indian Institute of Technology Madras,state officials outlined how the policy will advance local economic goals.
With sights set on becoming a $1.5 trillion economy by 2036,the state is prioritizing regional product recognitions in growth plans. In recent fiscal cycle,Tamil Nadu submitted 43 applications for regional product recognition,11 filed by Patent Information Centre linked to Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology.
At summit,M . Senthilkumar from Coffee Board noted seven coffee varieties already certified with regional product recognitions. Among them, Araku Valley Arabica and Coorg Arabica. Plans are underway to apply for more,like Shevaroys Arabica,in 2025 .
P.S. Harikrishnaraj from National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development revealed bank allocated ₹10.38 crore towards regional product initiatives,including support for recognition . He emphasized their role in assessing positive impacts of these recognized products.
Harikrishnaraj highlighted how the bank helped Virudhunagar Samba Vathal producers,ensuring quality seeds and providing packaging support. A facility in Virudhunagar now lets 700 farmers turn harvests into value-added products,like chili powder.
In broader talk,S. Senthil Kumaran from Spice Board noted recognition's benefits for North Eastern spice varieties. He pointed to Lakadong turmeric from Meghalaya,known for high curcumin levels. Mentioned spice exports rose post-COVID,with India exporting over 17 lakh metric tonnes last year .
Senthil Kumaran also saw potential in tying regional product recognitions with tourism to boost visibility. N. Sreedhar of Handloom Export Promotion Council spoke on AI's role in preserving traditional knowledge for regional products. AI could aid detailed documentation needed for recognition.
“Techniques used for many recognized products have been passed down generations,” Sreedhar noted . He stressed capturing these methods accurately is vital for future generations to appreciate cultural heritage.
Tapan Kumar Rout,Director of Textiles Committee,announced plans for AI-driven dashboard to help artisans identify authorized users and access info on recognized products. He noted while 50 lakh artisans connect to these products,only 20,000 are registered users,urging quicker registration.
With around 69 products holding regional recognitions,Tamil Nadu shows strong commitment to safeguarding and promoting its unique cultural and agricultural assets. But how fast can they move to get everyone on board…
