Srinagar, Aug 08: The Rajouri Chikri Wood Craft from Rajouri district and Mushqbudji Rice variety of Anantnag district have received the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag, officials said.
The GI Tagging process of products was started by NABARD in consultation with the Department of Handicrafts & Handloom and Department of Agriculture in December 2020.
Confirming the development, Director of Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhary Muhammad Iqbal said Mushqbudji rice variety of Anantnag district has been granted GI Tag which is a significant development for the promotion of the unique rice variety.
Mushqbudji rice is a premium variety of short bold aromatic rice grown in higher reaches of Kashmir especially in Anantnag district. The cooked Mushqbudji rice is unique and possesses a harmonious blend of taste, aroma and rich organoleptic properties.
The Agriculture Department Kashmir has been working to revive the traditional rice variety Mushqbudij and expand its horizon in Budgam and Kulgam districts.
Similarly, officials of Department of Handicrafts & Handloom said the GI tag has also been granted to Chikri – a pale, honey-colored, fine-grained softwood found in hill ranges of the Rajouri district of Jammu province. The Chikri woodcraft of Rajouri is characterized by intricate carving and detailing.
The GI tags have been granted to these two products following a long legal process. The GI is a form of Intellectual Property right that identifies goods originating from a specific geographical location having distinct nature, quality and characteristics linked to that location.
On the other side, in December last year, the Jammu and Kashmir Agriculture Production Department proposed GI Tag for 24 crops and products which is in process.
