Jammu, Jan 4 (PTI) Asserting that Geographical Indication (GI) could be a game changer for the rural economy in Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said the Union territory will lead in GIs use for agricultural and handicraft sectors.

GIs also have the potential to substantially extend wider benefits to rural areas while strengthening the historical and cultural link between place and people, he added.

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"Geographical Indication could be a game changer for rural economy, and J&K will lead in GIs use for agricultural & handicraft sectors. GIs also has the potential to substantially extend wider benefits to rural areas while strengthening the historical and cultural link between place & people," the LG said while inaugurating a two-day workshop on GI of North-Western Himalayas here.

The workshop aims to sensitise all stakeholders on GIs, the oldest category of trademarks, identify potential products and formulate a future strategy to empower rural communities.

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Sinha said that besides ensuring sustainable livelihoods and generating more income for producers, GIs will also play a key role in the protection of indigenous knowledge.

"It will help the particular geographical area to produce and sustain niche market products," the Lt governor added.

Highlighting the significance of Geographical Indications in the 21st-century economy, he said the UT administration is making dedicated efforts for GI tagging of niche and premium local products and helping them to create their distinctive identity.

GI tagging of Kashmir's Saffron, hand-knotted carpets, papier mache and several other products resulted in huge success for local producers, he said, adding that GI tagging of several other products is in the pipeline, which will bring socio-economic prosperity in respective areas.

"Since GIs denote the origin and the quality of products, our aim is to establish local brands in the global market through effective brand & marketing strategy. Other mechanisms are also being evolved to address the challenges faced by producers," Sinha further added.

'People First' is our mantra to speed up the pace of sustainable development, he said.

"Special impetus is being given to create physical, economic & knowledge connectivity to reduce Rural-Urban gap, improving rural economy, and protecting the interest of small & marginal farmers," the Lt Governor said.

In the last two years, unprecedented work has been done to strengthen physical, knowledge and economic connectivity. Several initiatives have been taken to bring socio-economic prosperity in the lives of farmers, producers and all associated stakeholders, he observed.

J&K administration is making concerted efforts to increase productivity through the infusion of traditional knowledge, modern science and technology, he added.

Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, said that the two-day workshop provides an opportunity to discuss, promote and capitalise on the unique niche products of the North-Western Himalayas.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)