The world-renowned Alphonso mango, a prized agricultural treasure of Maharashtra's Konkan coast, is at the centre of a fresh interstate dispute. Farmers from the Konkan region are raising strong objections against an application by Gujarat's Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) to secure a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for 'Valsad Hapus'. This move has sparked fears that the unique identity and global reputation of the original Konkan Alphonso could be threatened.
The Roots of the Controversy: A Shared Legacy
For well over a century, the Alphonso variety has been cultivated across a wide western belt spanning Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. The BKS, through its Valsad unit, formally applied for the GI tag two years ago. The first hearing in this process was held on October 30 this year, and several more are expected before a final decision is made. Proponents argue that Alphonso is a common variety grown for 150-200 years across the region, and a separate tag for Valsad would simply boost its local brand value, similar to the existing GI tags for Ratnagiri and Devgad Alphonso.
However, Konkan growers, led by association head Vivek Bhide, see it differently. They contend that granting a GI tag to Valsad would create a "fake Alphonso" that could dilute the premium value and hard-earned global fame of the Konkan fruit, known for its distinct creamy, non-fibrous texture. Bhide was unavailable for comment, but the sentiment is strong among local cultivators.
Political Football and Market Realities
The issue has quickly become politicized, especially amid local body elections. Opposition parties in Maharashtra have seized the opportunity to accuse the state and central governments of favouring Gujarat. The Congress party, in a statement issued by state chief Harshwardhan Sapkal's spokesperson, alleged a pattern, citing the diversion of projects like semiconductors to Gujarat. "In the same way, now they want to give Alphonso to Gujarat," the statement claimed.
NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar took to social media platform X to emphasize that Konkan is synonymous with Alphonso. He urged the government to protect Konkan's producers, highlighting the immense hard work of local farmers and the looming "crisis of indication" since Gandhinagar and Navsari University applied for the Valsad GI in 2023.
Mixed Reactions from the Trade
Within the crucial Vashi Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), traders are divided. Merchant Akshay Shinde views a Gujarat GI tag as a direct threat to the Konkan Alphonso, noting the existing competition from Shivneri Alphonso. Others, like wholesaler Nitin More, call the opposition "unjustified." They point out that Valsad Alphonso has different taste, colour, aroma, and texture due to distinct growing conditions over the 700km Saurashtra-Konkan belt. "Each has different characteristics," More stated.
Farmers like Sharad Surve from Chiplun offer a practical perspective, noting that differing harvest seasons—Gujarat's crop starts after May 20 when Maharashtra's ends—naturally prevent market clashes. Experts like Anil Meher, chairman of the Narayangaon Krishi Vigyan Kendra, believe multiple GI tags could benefit farmers nationwide by recognising each region's unique identity.
Beneath the high-stakes GI debate lies a stark ground reality: the tag offers limited practical protection. Traders confess that even crates of genuine Konkan Alphonso are often adulterated with cheaper varieties during transit. Consumers frequently find four to five inferior mangoes in a dozen sold as premium Konkan Hapus. Furthermore, manufacturers of mango-based products like juice, jam, and pulp routinely use "Konkan Alphonso" labels while utilising cheaper fruit, a practice that remains largely unchecked.
The core of the dispute transcends a simple legal label. It touches upon regional pride, economic stakes, and the complex identity of a fruit that has been a shared legacy of the erstwhile unified state of Bombay, now separated but forever connected by the beloved Hapus.
