Port Blair, Nov. 23: NABARD Andaman and Nicobar Regional Office had sanctioned a project for geographical indications tagging of 7 products from Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The products include Nicobari Hodi Craft, Andaman and Nicobar Coconut, Nicobari Mat, Nicobari Traditional Virgin Coconut Oil, Nicobari Hut, Andaman Black Rice, Padauk furniture and craft. Application for the Geographical Indication tag was filed for Nicobari Hodi craft on 21.10.2022, which makes it the first product from Andaman & Nicobar Islands to be filed for Geographical Indications tagging.

The application for remaining 6 products are in the final stages of submission. Human Welfare Association, Varanasi is NABARDs technical partner for the project. Geographical Indication tagging of products have proven to increase the marketability of products in national and international market and has also enabled producers to command a premium price in the market in addition to promoting tourism. This project is in line with vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of local to global and is expected to benefit the farmers, artisans and MSME from the Islands.