GI-tagged Kalaburagi tur dal exported to Maldives

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Gulbarga Tur Dal, also known as Kalaburagi Togari Bele, received its GI registration in 2019. | Photo Credit: File Photo

A one-tonne consignment of GI-tagged Kalaburagi tur dal has been exported to the Maldives, opening up a new international market for the region’s flagship agricultural product.

The consignment was flagged off by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) Chairman Abhishek Dev on Thursday as part of an initiative to promote GI-tagged agricultural products and strengthen farmer-led brands in international markets.

The consignment, exported by Mysuru-based Silken Global Exports and Imports through an FPO-led brand, will be transported to the Maldives by sea. Representatives of APEDA, the Karnataka State Pulses Abhivrudhi Mandali Ltd. (KSPAML) and the exporting company were present at the flag-off.

The export-linked value chain is expected to provide better returns to farmers. According to APEDA, while the prevailing market price is around ₹60 per kg, farmers receive ₹82 per kg through the export-linked channel, representing a price increase of more than 30%.

APEDA said the initiative would enable farmer producer organisations (FPOs) to participate more closely in export-oriented value chains and connect producers with international markets. It is also expected to pave the way for regular shipments of Kalaburagi tur dal to the Maldives, creating sustained market opportunities for producers and exporters in Karnataka.

Mr. Dev emphasised 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 Kalaburagi tur dal to the Maldives provided an opportunity to build international recognition for the product and explore further market expansion.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal also welcomed the development in a post on X, describing the shipment as an important step towards expanding global market access to Karnataka’s GI-tagged Kalaburagi tur dal. He also highlighted its significance in expanding international markets for India’s GI-tagged agricultural products and strengthening the participation of FPO-led brands in agricultural exports.

Gulbarga Tur Dal, also known as Kalaburagi Togari Bele, received its GI registration in 2019. APEDA lists Gulbarga Tur Dal among Karnataka’s registered GI products. The GI registration records the product under agricultural goods, with the University of Agricultural Sciences and Karnataka Togari Abhivrudhi Mandali Ltd. as registered proprietors.

Kalaburagi is one of Karnataka’s major tur-growing regions, and tur cultivation forms an important part of the agricultural economy of the region. KSPAML, headquartered in Kalaburagi, is the State’s nodal organisation for the development of the pulses sector and works with FPOs and other stakeholders on value addition and market linkages.

APEDA Senior Consultant Tarun Bajaj, General Manager Vinita Sudhanshu, KSPAML Managing Director V. Sadashiva and Imran Pasha of Silken Global Exports and Imports were among those present at the flag-off.

The initiative is part of APEDA’s efforts to facilitate exports of GI-tagged and other high-value agricultural products and strengthen international market linkages for region-specific farm produce.

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