The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has extended support for securing Geographical Indication (GI) registration for four more traditional products from Karnataka that are likely to get a GI tag.

The products identified for GI registration are Tiptur coconut, Hoysala-style stone art, Sanikatte salt, and Kunbi Mudli, a climate-resilient tuber belonging to the taro (Colocasia) family. India has 822 registered GI products, of which 51 are from Karnataka.

The NABARD officials said the initiative builds on the regional office's earlier support in facilitating the GI registration for Kari Ishad mangoes. The focus has now shifted from merely obtaining GI tags to strengthening the entire value chain through branding, marketing, capacity building, enterprise development and market linkages, the officials said.

As part of its post-registration initiatives, the NABARD Karnataka has supported the development of a dedicated website for GI-tagged Udupi sarees, facilitated the registration of authorised GI users, and organised exposure visits and capacity-building programmes for artisans and weavers associated with Guledagudda Khana in the Bagalkot district.

Outlet for Ilkal sarees

To improve market access for GI products, the NABARD has also supported the establishment of a dedicated GI store for Ilkal sarees at the Aihole Heritage Site in Bagalkot. The outlet, to be inaugurated shortly, is expected to provide a platform for marketing authentic GI products to domestic and international tourists.

According to the NABARD, the initiatives are aimed at creating a robust ecosystem for Karnataka’s GI products by integrating registration, branding, marketing and enterprise development, while preserving the State’s traditional crafts and agricultural heritage and generating sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural producers.