Goa’s rich agricultural heritage has received national recognition with five traditional crops being awarded the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The crops include Taleigao Vayingim brinjal, Hilario mango, Korgut rice, Kaju apple, and Musrad mango, marking a significant milestone for the State’s farming community.
The GI tag serves as a legal protection that identifies products as originating from a specific region, preserving their unique characteristics, quality, and reputation. For Goa, this recognition not only safeguards traditional crop varieties but also ensures that local farmers benefit from enhanced market value and authenticity.
According to the government, GI recognition will help protect farmers’ rights, prevent misuse of regional names, and promote Goa’s indigenous produce at national and global levels. Crops such as Korgut rice, known for its resilience in saline coastal soils, and the Hilario and Musrad mango varieties, cherished for their distinct taste and aroma, represent generations of traditional farming knowledge.
The Taleigao Vayingim brinjal, cultivated in and around Taleigao, and the Kaju apple, an integral part of Goa’s cashew heritage, further underline the State’s diverse agricultural identity.
Officials have highlighted that GI tagging will contribute to strengthening Goa’s rural economy, encouraging sustainable agriculture, and preserving age-old farming practices. The recognition is also expected to open new opportunities for branding, exports, and agri-tourism under the broader vision of promoting local and traditional produce.
With these five crops now officially recognised, Goa takes an important step towards celebrating its farmers and safeguarding its agricultural legacy for future generations.
