Khirshapati mango gets GI certification

Khirshapat mangoes. Photo: UNB
Khirshapat mangoes. Photo: UNB

The Khirsapati mango of Chapainawabganj, popularly known as Himsagar, has gotten the Geographical Indication (GI) tag as third Bangladeshi product after Hilsa and Jamdani.
The development comes after the 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 of Bangladesh.
A certificate handover ceremony, organised by Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT), will be held on Sunday morning, said an industries ministry handout on Saturday.

 Industries minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun will be present at the ceremony as the chief guest.

 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.

Khirshapat mangoes are produced up to 20-25 per cent of the total mango in the country each season. This variety is also on top of the mango export list. Meeting the demands of local markets, the variety is exported to many countries of Europe and the Middle East.

After having the GI registration, it will be known in the global market. It will also inspire the farmers to boost production as well as strengthen the mango-related economy of the country.