Despite expressing interest, the State Government of Goa has not yet established a system to monitor the production, processing, and export of goods bearing Geographical Indication (GI) tags. Minister for Industries, Trade, and Commerce Mauvin Godinho responded to an unstarred question posed by GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai by saying that although efforts are being made to encourage producers to use the GI tag, monitoring systems for tracking quantities have not yet been put in place.
“After GI production is started, necessary monitoring will be carried out to maintain a record of the quantity manufactured, processed, and exported,” he stated. “The State government is working on encouraging GI producers to use GI tag.” At present, Goa has ten registered GI-tagged items: Goa Cashew (Kaju or Caju), Agsechi Vayingim (Agassaim Brinjal), Goa Mankurad Mango (Malcorado or Mankur), Sat-Shiro Bheno (Sat-Shirancho Bhendo), Goan Khaje, and Goan Khaje. Godinho went on to say that the government is creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to provide guidelines for applying the GI tag to Goa cashew kernels.
Additionally, a review is being conducted to see if the current framework can be modified or if the State needs to create its own independent GI policy. In response to a follow-up query, the minister acknowledged that no current plans had been examined to incorporate GI tag products for producing and marketing Goan GI products. Additionally, a review is being conducted to see if the current framework can be modified or if the State needs to create its own independent GI policy. In response to a follow-up query, the minister acknowledged that no current plans had been examined to incorporate GI tag products for producing and marketing Goan GI products. He declared, “…the State government will review current schemes to include GI tag items shortly.”
With the words, “government is very much interested in promoting Goan GI tagged items,” Godinho reaffirmed the government’s commitment to this goal. Measures taken to this end include helping legitimate producers register as “Authorised Users,” encouraging their participation in national and state-level trade shows and providing capacity-building programs in branding, labelling, and packaging.