A dispute has erupted over the 'Unjha Cumin' GI tag being granted to Gujarat, despite Rajasthan being the largest producer. Farmers and experts have objected.
A major controversy has emerged regarding cumin and fennel grown in Rajasthan. The issue is about the Geographical Indication (GI) tag granted to 'Unjha Jeera' and 'Unjha Saunf'.
Farmers and agricultural experts from Rajasthan claim that the state is the largest producer of cumin in the country, yet the GI tag has been issued in the name of the Unjha Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Mehsana district, Gujarat.
The Geographical Indications (GI) Registry, Chennai, has granted the GI tag to Gujarat's Unjha APMC for 'Unjha Jeera' and 'Unjha Saunf'.
A total of 14 districts, including Mehsana in Gujarat, are included in this certificate. Experts from Rajasthan say that the actual production area of the state was not given importance in this decision.
The Jodhpur-based South Asia Biotechnology Centre (SABC) has sent an objection to the GI Registry, demanding a review and reconsideration of the tag.
According to agricultural data for the year 2024-25, Rajasthan is the top cumin producer in the country with approximately 6.89 lakh tonnes. Meanwhile, Gujarat's production is around 4.07–4.76 lakh tonnes.
Another basis for the dispute is that cumin production in Mehsana district is limited, whereas Unjha is one of the largest spice markets in the country.
Farmers from Barmer and Jalore state that they have been growing large quantities of cumin and selling it in the Unjha market for years. They argue that the market is only a marketing center, not a production hub.
Farmer producer companies are concerned that if products are classified based on the GI tag in the future, farmers from Rajasthan may face losses in price determination.
A Geographical Indication (GI) is given to a product whose quality or identity is linked to a specific geographical area. In India, this tag is issued by the GI Registry, Chennai. Its purpose is to provide legal protection to the uniqueness of the production area.
Disputes between states over GI tags have occurred in India before. There have been disputes between West Bengal and Odisha over 'Rasgulla' and between Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh over the 'Kadaknath' chicken.
According to agricultural marketing experts, exporters, large traders, and international buyers are active in the Unjha market, which increases the chances of farmers getting better prices. This is why farmers from Rajasthan sell their produce there.
Currently, the objection filed by the Jodhpur-based SABC is the main institutional response in this matter. Experts believe that if the state government wishes, it can file a formal objection with the GI Registry or even apply for a separate GI tag for the production areas of Rajasthan.
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