ROHTAS DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION STARTS EFFORTS TO GIVE A UNIQUE IDENTITY TO SONACHUR RICE

ROHTAS DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION STARTS EFFORTS TO GIVE A UNIQUE IDENTITY TO SONACHUR RICE

30-APRIL-ENG 3

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

SASARAM-------------------------The Rohtas district administration has started the process of providing a unique identity to Sonachur rice produced in Rohtas district. To bring the unique identity of Sonachur to the world map, the District Magistrate, Rohtas has recommended inclusion of Sonachur rice in the Geographical Index (GI).

Registrar, Geographical Index, Chennai, which will strengthen the efforts of the Agricultural Department, Rohtas to establish Sonachur rice as the identity of Rohtas and to establish global recognitions of the special agricultural products of the district.

A Geographical Indication (GI) tag is a name or mark used on special products that relate to a specific geographical location or origin. Geographical Indications are recognized as a part of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) under Articles 1(2) and 10 of the Paris Convention and these are also recognized under Articles 22-24 of the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.

On the initiative of Deputy Development Commissioner, Rohtas, Society Registration of “Rohtas Sonachur Paddy Producer Association” a group of farmers striving for GI of Sonachur paddy in Rohtas district, has been obtained. Now the District Magistrate, Rohtas has asked for GI registration of Sonachur paddy. The efforts of the Sonachur rice growers of the region have been supported by the sending of a recommendation letter to the Registrar of Geographical Index, Chennai, Botanical Research Unit, Bikramganj, Bihar Agriculture University, Bhagalpur for registration of GI. Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Department of Agriculture, Rohtas Integrated efforts are being made by the Rohtas District Administration and the Productive farmers of the district.