Bihar Agricultural University Secures Patent for Innovative GI Traceability Device
Scientists at Bihar Agricultural University (BAU) in Bhagalpur have achieved a significant milestone by securing a design registration patent from the Indian Patent Office for their groundbreaking innovation, the 'Dynamic GI (Geographical Indication) Flavour Profiling Traceability Device'. This development marks a pivotal step in aligning scientific advancements with the protection and traceability of region-specific agricultural products.
Innovation Led by BAU's GI Facilitation Centre
The device was developed by BAU's Geographical Indication (GI) Facilitation Centre, under the leadership of Vice Chancellor D R Singh. The primary goal of this innovation is to integrate scientific progress with GI protection, enhance traceability systems, and foster intellectual property generation in the agricultural sector.
How the Device Works
Explaining the technology behind the device, Vice Chancellor D R Singh detailed that it combines advanced sensor technology, such as electronic noses, with machine learning algorithms. This combination allows for the analysis of unique volatile organic compounds—specifically the aroma and flavour—of products that have Geographical Indication status. By doing so, the device creates a precise chemical "fingerprint" for each GI product, enabling accurate identification and verification.
The device operates in real time, mapping volatile compounds in relation to specific environmental conditions, including soil composition and climate factors. This real-time analysis ensures the authenticity and traceability of products from farm to table, providing a robust safeguard against counterfeiting by verifying both the origin and composition of the goods.
Benefits and Applications
Singh emphasized that the system can monitor quality parameters and help predict shelf life, thereby significantly enhancing consumer trust. The patent registration recognizes the novel design and applied utility of the device, particularly in areas such as agricultural traceability, flavour profiling, and quality authentication systems linked to GI products and their value chains.
The device is expected to protect the distinct identity of Bihar's GI products, enhance their competitiveness in both national and global markets, contribute to higher income for farmers, and promote sustainable agricultural development. Additionally, it is likely to support standardized quality assessment, certification, and branding of GI products, strengthening market integration and export readiness.
Alignment with National Priorities
This innovation aligns closely with national priorities on GI protection, intellectual property creation, and the promotion of region-specific agricultural produce. Director of Research at BAU, A K Singh, highlighted that the development reinforces innovation in agricultural science and intellectual property generation, contributing to a quality-led and market-oriented agricultural transformation in Bihar and beyond.
He further noted that the device will enhance consumer confidence and willingness to pay a premium for authenticated, high-quality, and locally sourced products, thereby boosting economic benefits for local communities.
Inventors and Registration Details
The design has been registered jointly in the name of Bihar Agricultural University and the inventors, who include Aditya Sinha, Md Shamsher Ahmad, Abhijeet Ghatak, Mukesh Kumar Sinha, Shweta Shambhavi, Deepak Kumar Patel, Kirti, Ajay Kumar Sah, Anil Kumar Singh, and Duniya Ram Singh. BAU official Rajesh Kumar confirmed this collective contribution, acknowledging the team's efforts in bringing this innovation to fruition.
This patent not only celebrates a technological breakthrough but also sets a precedent for future innovations in agricultural traceability and intellectual property, paving the way for enhanced sustainability and economic growth in the region.
