Jammu (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir administration has pushed for Geographical Indication (GI) tagging of Doda Gucchi mushroom, especially found in forest and hilly areas of Jammu like Kishtwar, Doda and Reasi.
Marking a new age of heirloom crops and products, Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production & Farmers Welfare, Navin Kumar Choudhary has taken the historical initiative.
Great Mission Group Consultancy, Pune has submitted the application through Adhik Kadam, Chairman of the Borderless World Foundation, facilitated by the Department of Agriculture Production & FW, for the mushroom variety’s registration for GI tag registry in Chennai, as per an official statement.
Prof Ganesh S Hingmire, Chairman of the Consultancy group presented the copy of GI application to Naveen Choudhary, who lauded his efforts and also appreciated Dr. Sagar D. Doifode, Deputy Commissioner Doda, for his efforts in projecting Doda Gucchi Mushroom for a global niche. He said that Gucchi mushroom holds a special place among the costlier food items because of its high cost and exotic nature.
The Principal Secretary said that Doda Gucchi Mushroom is one of the most popular, flavorful, medicinally beneficial mushroom species found in the nearby forest areas of the Doda.
This mushroom variety is among the world’s costliest food items that grow wild and collected manually. The farming community in the district traditionally collects the mushroom from forested areas through a well-managed community approach. Locally known as “thunthoo”, it is a familiar commodity among natives spread in the entire areas of the district.
Choudhary said that GI tagging shall prevent unauthorized use of a Registered Geographical Indication by others. “It (Geographical Indication) will provide legal protection to Doda Gucchi Mushroom, which in turn will boost its export, he added. It will also promote economic prosperity of locals in the geographical territory as the farming community follows the practice of collecting Gucchi in the district from the forest areas for generations together. They penetrate deep inside dense forests for its collection,” he said.
On the occasion, Prof Ganesh S Hingmire expressed gratitude to the officers of Department of Agriculture Production & FW Jammu and KVK Bhaderwah for extending all necessary support in documentation of the GI application which has been accepted for further necessary action.
Inderjeet, Director Agriculture Production & Farmers Welfare Jammu, K K Sharma, Joint Director Agriculture Marketing Jammu and Shahid Iqbal Sheikh, Joint Director of Agriculture (Extension) Jammu were also present.
