Navi Mumbai: Alphonso mango growers in Maharashtra’s Konkan region have made a remarkable stride by securing the highest number of Geographical Indication (GI) tags in the country. A total of 1,845 GI tags have been granted to growers, processors, and traders from this region, marking a national record.
According to traders from APMC Vashi, the GI tag for Alphonso mangoes is exclusive to five Konkan districts – Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Raigad, Palghar, and Thane. “This tag safeguards the unique taste and color of Alphonso mangoes and prevents misuse of the name by growers from other regions,” said a trader.
The association has launched legal action against the misuse of the “Hapus” (Alphonso) label by traders from Karnataka and other non-GI-certified areas of Maharashtra. “A GI tag represents a product’s regional identity. Using it outside the designated area violates intellectual property rights,” said the trader.
To maintain authenticity, mango boxes from GI-certified regions now carry QR codes that provide full traceability, including details of the farm and the GI certification. The association is also assisting farmers in securing GI tags for their produce.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about alleged irregularities in the functioning of market committees. Farmers claim they are being pushed out of market spaces, denied fair prices, and that illegal activities — including unregulated trade and substance sales — are happening with impunity. There are also accusations of rent extraction from migrant workers and a lack of transparency in fee collections.
