Hyderabad: Telangana has moved a step closer to securing the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Sajjapur Chamadumpa (Colocasia) after its application was technically accepted by the GI Registry in Chennai on Tuesday. The application, filed under the name of the Telangana Council of Science and Technology (TGCOST), marks a significant milestone for this distinctive colocasia landrace from Sajjapur village in Kohir mandal of Sangareddy district.
Key Contributors and Documentation
The application was prepared by Telangana-based intellectual property expert Subhajit Saha and Pidigam Saidaiah, a professor at Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University. Saidaiah served as the principal investigator for the TGCOST-supported project. The team extensively documented proof of origin, varietal traits, biochemical profiling, DNA tagging, cultivation practices, and the geographical link behind the crop's unique qualities.
Unique Characteristics of Sajjapur Chamadumpa
Sajjapur Chamadumpa is the first colocasia variety to seek GI protection. It is distinguished by purple streaks on the tuber skin, high dry matter content, a soft non-sticky texture after cooking, and low acridity. These traits are directly linked to Sajjapur's black cotton soils and local agro-climatic conditions.
Potential Benefits for Farmers
Vice Chancellor Danda Raji Reddy emphasized that GI registration could lead to premium pricing, better market differentiation, and enhanced export opportunities for farmers. TGCOST member secretary Dr. Rajendra Prasad noted that the tag would help protect the authenticity of the product and support genuine producers.
With this technical acceptance, the application now moves toward final registration, which is expected to bring economic and cultural benefits to the region.
