Managing Geographical Indications: Challenges and Opportunities

The Indian government has been making strenuous efforts recently to promote indigenous goods, encourage development and manufacturing of local products. Through initiatives like “Make in India” and “Vocal for Local”, Indian government has highlighted and brought in forefront the need for developing indigenous products, and this is where Geographical Indications can play an important role. There is a massive scope for our Indian Geographical Indications in making “Atmanirbhar Bharat”. This chapter emphasizes on the importance of geographical indications to showcase India’s potential in traditional knowledge and a plethora of cultural relics; challenges and opportunities in developing a framework for management of geographical indications post registration. (a) Existing system setup for management of GIs and challenges in existing system. (b) Challenges faced by the Indian GI holders and GI Authorised users to multiply the production quantities while maintaining required standard qualities. (c) Opportunities for various stakeholders in the GI ecosystem to nurture the GI communities, artisan groups, farmer groups and GI holders. (d) An overview of agricultural GIs in southern part of India. (e) Role of supporting entities such as government bodies and NGOs in making the GI system setup business conducive. (f) Initiatives and suggestions for the supporting entities to leverage the impact of GI Registration