Assam: Tezpur’s famous Litchi gets GI Tag

Tezpur: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) on Friday announced that Tezpur Litchi has been given the geographical indication (GI) tag.  The tag has granted Tezpur Litchi an incontrovertible proof of its origin in the state.

The news has been confirmed by the APEDA, an apex body under the Union ministry of commerce and industry, which is responsible for the export promotion of agricultural products.

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APEDA on its Twitter handle wrote, “#Tezpur #Litchi of #Assam have got the geographical indication (GI) tags, making this item an incontrovertible proof of their origins in the state, and protecting them from production elsewhere. #Aatmanirbharkrishi #Vocal4GI #agriculture @Brands_India. (sic)”

The Tezpur litchi is characterised by its distinct size, color, flavor, taste and juicy pulp. Litchi is known for its quality pleasant flavor, juicy pulp with red colour. 

The fruit consists of 60% juice, 8% rag, 19 % seed and 13% skin -- varying upon variety and climate.

Litchi is also a source of vitamin C but it contains insignificant amount of protein(0.8-0.9%) ,fat 0.3%, pectin 0.49% and minerals specially calcium, phosphorus and iron (0.9%).

The first-ever product from Assam to get the GI tag was ‘Muga Silk’.

GI tag is a certification that indicates the distinctiveness of the product’s origin in a particular geographical location and carries an assurance of the quality of that particular product.

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