Seoni district's famous jumbo custard apple has been awarded a Geographical Indication (GI) tag after three years of sustained efforts, giving the fruit a distinct and protected identity at both national and international levels, an official confirmed on Tuesday.
GI Tag Benefits and Market Impact
Dr Asha Upvanshi-Vasewar, Assistant Director of the Horticulture and Food Processing Department, told PTI that the GI tag was granted following approval of an application submitted through the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks to the GI Registry in Chennai. The recognition will prevent misuse of the product's name in the market while enhancing its demand and value. The fruit already enjoys strong demand in major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Nagpur, and Kanpur.
“This achievement will increase the income of custard apple farmers and create new opportunities for processing and exports,” she said. Processed products include pulp, ice cream, rabdi shakes, basundi, lassi, and sweets. Additionally, custard apple leaves and peels are used in producing organic fertilisers and medicinal products.
Livelihood for Tribal Families
The custard apple grows naturally in the forests of Bhutbandhani and nearby areas of Chhapara, renowned for its large size, exceptional taste, and superior quality. Individual fruits typically weigh between 200 grams and 1 kilogram. Officials noted that the region's red-brown soil contributes to the fruit's high iron content, enhancing its sweetness—containing approximately 40 per cent natural sugar—and medicinal properties.
The cultivation and collection of this unique custard apple serve as the primary source of livelihood for more than 3,000 tribal families in the district. Each family can earn up to Rs 1 lakh during a season. Seoni district produces approximately 6,090 tons of custard apple annually from 695 hectares of cultivation, generating an estimated turnover of Rs 20-25 crore.
Support for Growers
To support growers, the department has organised farmers into two Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs), while three custard apple pulp processing units have been established in the district. The application for the GI tag was submitted in 2023 by Sadam Singh Barkade and Rajkumar Bhalavi, representatives of the Bhutbandhani FPO Custard Apple Crop Producer Company Limited.
Recently, Garadu (a tuber relished during winter in Madhya Pradesh's Malwa region), Sailana's Balam cucumber, and Indore's Malvi potato have also received GI tags, officials said on Monday.
