Khirsapat mango of Chapainawabganj, commonly known as Himsagar, has got the internationally recognized Geographical Indication (GI) tag as the third Bangladeshi product after Hilsa and Jamdani.
Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun handed over the GI certificate to Dr Md. Shafiqul Islam, chief scientific officer in-charge of Chapainawabgnaj regional horticulture research station of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) at a ceremony held at the Industries Ministry on Sunday.
Speaking on the occasion Minister Nurul Majid said, “Rajshahi is famous for mangoes for long. We thank those who conduct research on mangoes. The support of the government to mango related research and agro-based industrialization will continue. We have to go forward to achieve our goal.”
The minister hoped that the GI recognition will help mango farmers, traders and agro-based businesses.
“Our own products will spread across the world after fulfilling our demand. We have an opportunity to earn huge foreign exchange by processing mangoes for export,” he said adding that other varieties of mangoes should get GI registration soon.
He also instructed the Patents, Designs and Trademarks Directorate to issue GI certificate in favour of Chapaibnabganj’s ‘Ashwina’ and ‘Lengra’ mangoes.
State Minister for Industries Kamal Ahmed Majumdar said the GI registration of Bangladeshi goods will bring goodwill for the country and boost demand of our products in the globe.
Dr Md Shafiqul Islam said 3500 metric tonnes Khirsapat mangoes were produced on 3400 acres and in Chainawabgaj last year.
“We think that the farmers will become more keen to cultivate it after the certification. Our production will also increase in future for the branding,” he said.
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute applied for GI certification for the mango variety in February last year on behalf of the growers of Chapainawabganj, one of the main mango-producing districts.
Khirshapat mangoes’ are considered the best mango variety in the country which makes up to 20-25 percent of the total mango produced in the country every season. This variety is also on top of the mango export list to Europe and Middle East.
GI is a name or sign used on products to certify that it possesses certain qualities for being made or produced as per traditional methods or enjoys a certain reputation due to its geographical origin.
Earlier, Jamdani was certified as Bangladesh’s first GI product and Hilsha was certified as the second one.
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