Pune’s GI tagged Figs exported to Germany

Pune’s GI tagged Figs exported to Germany

Subject: Economy

Section: Agriculture

Context:For the first time, fresh figs from Purandar taluka of Maharashtra’s Pune district with GI tags have been exported to Europe. The export was facilitated by the Maharashtra State Agriculture Marketing Board (MSAMB) along with the Purandar Highlands Farmers Producers Company (PHFPC).

Concept:

• Fresh figs from Purandar while being a rich source of nutrients, are highly perishable; their quality deteriorates within hours of being plucked and has never been exported before.
• Over the last two months, the PHFPC has been conducting trials with StePac, a packaging solution company from Israel, as well as Bayer Crop Sciences’ food chain department. After preparing and following specific protocols in packhouse tests, the figs can be preserved in perfect condition for 15 days.
• Following the success of this consignment, the FPC intends to begin working on full-fledged exports to Europe later this year and also tap the Pan-Asian market.
• The company is also building its presence in the domestic market and has been able to send shipments out of Maharashtra through air cargo under the ‘Super Figs’ brand name to seven states, including Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Cochin and Hyderabad.
• Sahyadri Farms of Nashik, Tata Trent Hypermarket and other supermarkets are also sourcing the fruit from Purandar Highlands.
• Established in January 2021, Purandar Highlands has been working in the segments of fresh figs and custard apples. At present, the FPC has been processing one tonne figs on a daily basis, and is working with 260 odd farmers.

Fig Farming:

• The total production of fig in the world is roughly 1.26 million tonnes. Turkey is the largest producer of figs in the world with 0.3 million tonnes.
• In India, fig farming is mostly done in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
• The total area under fig cultivation is around 5,600 hectares and about 13,802 tonnes of the fruit are produced. Figs are cultivated on around 400 hectares in Maharashtra and about 4,300 tonnes of fresh figs are produced. About 90-92% of these figs are produced in Pune district. Poona figs are widely available in the Purandar area.
• The fig season occurs twice a year from May to June and December to January.

To know about GI tag, refer:  https://optimizeias.com/geographical-indication-gi/  and https://optimizeias.com/gi-tag-for-basmati/