India sends GI-tagged Gulbarga Tur Dal to Maldives in major export push

The initiative is aimed at expanding international markets for India’s GI-tagged agricultural products and strengthening the participation of Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO)-led brands in agri exports.

A key feature of the export-linked value chain is improved price realisation for farmers. While the prevailing market price is ₹60 per kg, farmer realisation through the export-linked channel is ₹82 per kg, representing more than 30 per cent higher realisation.

The initiative also provides FPOs an opportunity to participate more closely in export-oriented value chains and connect producers with international markets.

The consignment, exported by M/s Silken Global Exports and Imports, Mysuru, through its FPO-led brand, will be transported to the Maldives by sea.

Gulbarga Tur Dal, associated with the Kalaburagi region of Karnataka, received Geographical Indication (GI) registration in 2019. The product is recognised for its distinctive taste and quality and forms an important part of the agricultural economy of the region. APEDA lists Gulbarga Tur Dal among Karnataka’s registered GI products.

Karnataka is one of India’s major agricultural states, with pulses playing an important role in its dryland agriculture and rural economy. Kalaburagi is one of the major centres of tur cultivation and production in the state, and Gulbarga Tur Dal represents the region’s distinctive agricultural identity.

Chairman, APEDA, Abhishek Dev, highlighted the importance of taking India’s GI-tagged agricultural products to global markets and creating stronger market linkages for farmers. He said the export of Gulbarga Tur Dal to the Maldives provides an opportunity to build the product’s global identity while opening avenues for further market expansion.

The export is expected to pave the way for regular shipments of Gulbarga Tur Dal to the Maldives, creating sustained market opportunities for producers and exporters from Karnataka. It will also support greater value realisation for farmers and enable FPOs and farmers to integrate more closely with export-oriented value chains.

The initiative is aligned with APEDA’s efforts to facilitate exports of GI-tagged and other value-added agricultural products to international markets and reflects the scope for promoting region-specific agricultural products through international trade.