Sikkim’s 'Dalle Khursani' Chilli Gets GI Tag

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What is a Geographical Indication?

A GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and
Possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place.

Like Copyright, Patent, Trademark etc.
Geographical Indication Tag provides similar rights and protection to holders.
GI tags is a requirement of TRIPS agreement
India, as a member of the WTO,
Enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection)Act, 1999
Came into force on 15th September 2003.

“Dalle khursani” or the Red cherry pepper chilli, which is grown in Sikkim and considered as one among hottest varieties in the world,
Has earned a geographical indication (GI) tag from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

Although the plant is cultivated in the neighbouring Darjeeling hills also,
It was included in the Geographical Indications Registry of the Government of India on the basis of an application filed by the Guwahati-headquartered North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (Neramac) on behalf of Sikkim.
The granting of GI tag certifies that dalle khursani is endemic to Sikkim and the neighbouring areas of the Darjeeling hills.

one of the world’s hottest chillies

It is considered one of the world’s hottest chillies.
It has a range of 1,00,000 to 3,50,000 SHU (Scoville Heat Units).
The Scoville scale is a measurement of spiciness or heat of chillies.
The famous Bhut Jolokia, grown in neighbouring Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur, has an SHU range of 8,55,000 to 10,41,427.

For north Bengal and Sikkim, this is the third product of the region to earn a GI tag.
Earlier, GI was conferred on a large cardamom cultivated in Sikkim.
Also, the Darjeeling Tea was the first Indian product to get a GI tag.

Red Cherry Pepper, locally known as Dalle khursani in Sikkim is well known for its unique flavour
and high pungency.
The crop belongs to the genus Capsicum.
Plant grows up to 100-130 cm height under open field and 150-180 cm height in green house
The cherry-size red chillies are eaten in various forms, most famously as sauce to go with the region’s equally famous momos.
They are also used to make pickles and pastes.
It is high in vitamin A, vitamin E, and potassium, and low in sodium.
100 grams of fresh dalle khursani have 240 mg of vitamin C (5 times higher than an orange), 11,000 IU of vitamin A, and 0.7 mg of vitamin E.

Last year, Sikkim had produced around 250 tonnes of dalle khursani.
The largest manufacturer of dalle khursani products is the state government-owned Sikkim Supreme, which alone procured about 50 tonnes of the chilli last
year to make pickles and pastes.
Around 60% are sold in the state.
The production is expected to go up this year.
Government intervention by way of providing seeds, nutrients and other items will help to boost production.
With GI, the crop will have global recognition and the marketing of the product will be beyond the national borders.