The Geographical Indications Registry (GIR) has granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag to Unjha Cumin (Jeera) and Unjha Fennel (Variyali) from the Unjha region of Gujarat. This certification legally recognises these two spices as products uniquely linked to their geographical origin in North Gujarat. With these additions, the total number of GI-tagged agricultural products from Gujarat has increased to six.
What Is a Geographical Indication Tag?
A Geographical Indication (GI) is a form of intellectual property right that identifies a product as originating from a specific geographical location. The product’s quality, reputation, or characteristics are essentially attributable to its place of origin. In India, GI registration is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, which came into force on 15 September 2003.
The Geographical Indications Registry, headquartered in Chennai, administers the registration process. It operates under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), which functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. India enacted this law to comply with its obligations under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), to which India is a signatory as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Darjeeling Tea became India’s first registered GI product in 2004-05. As of mid-2026, India has 822 registered GI products, with 125 new registrations added between April 2025 and March 2026. Handicrafts account for the largest share at 53 per cent, followed by agricultural products at 31 per cent.
A GI tag is valid for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely. It cannot be transferred, sold, or licensed outside the designated producer group. Unauthorised use of a GI tag can attract imprisonment of six months to three years and fines up to ₹2 lakh.
Unjha: The Spice Hub of North Gujarat
Unjha is a town in the Mehsana district of North Gujarat. It is home to one of Asia’s largest spice markets, known as the Unjha APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) market yard. Established in 1954 as Gujarat’s first APMC, the 36-acre market handles an annual turnover of around ₹20,000 crore and trades over 2 lakh tonnes of cumin alone each year.
The town serves as the principal trading hub for cumin and fennel, with produce from Gujarat and neighbouring Rajasthan channelled through its market. Unjha is often called the “Spice City of India” and trades a wide range of commodities including cumin, fennel, psyllium husk (isabgol), mustard seeds, coriander, and fenugreek. Over 800 commission agents operate in the market, grading, cleaning, and processing spices for domestic and international buyers.
India is the world’s largest producer and exporter of cumin, and Gujarat is the country’s largest cumin-producing state. Cumin and fennel are predominantly grown in the arid and semi-arid northern districts of Gujarat, including Mehsana, Patan, Banaskantha, and Gandhinagar. The agro-climatic conditions of this region, including its fertile soils and dry climate, contribute to the distinctive quality and aroma of these spices.
What the GI Tag Means for Unjha Cumin and Fennel
The GI certificates for both products were issued on 28 March 2026. The Unjha Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) has been registered as the proprietor of both GI tags. The products are registered under Class 30 of the Nice Classification, an international system for classifying goods for trademark and GI registration. Class 30 covers spices, coffee, tea, flour, cereals, and bakery products.
The GI registration was secured through a collaborative effort involving the Unjha APMC, the Gujarat government’s Department of Horticulture and Farmers’ Welfare, the Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University (SDAU), and the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII).
With the GI tag, only authorised producers from the Unjha region can market their produce as “Unjha Cumin” or “Unjha Fennel”. This provides legal protection against counterfeit products and prevents producers from other regions from misusing the geographical name. The certification also allows the products to carry a distinct identity in domestic and international markets, much like how Darjeeling Tea or Champagne enjoy protected status worldwide.
Gujarat’s Growing GI Portfolio
With the addition of Unjha Cumin and Unjha Fennel, the number of GI-tagged agricultural products from Gujarat has risen to six. The other four GI-tagged agricultural products from the state are:
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| Gir Kesar Mango | Grown in the foothills of Girnar in Junagadh; known for bright orange pulp. GI tag granted in 2011 |
| Bhalia Wheat | Grown in the Bhal region of Gujarat; known for high protein content and unique taste. GI tag granted in 2011 |
| Kachchhi Kharek | Dates grown in the Kutch region; known for distinctive sweetness. GI tag granted in 2015 |
| Amalsadi Chikoo | Sapota fruit from the Amalsad region of Valsad district; known for its unique flavour |
Beyond agricultural products, Gujarat has a much larger portfolio of GI-tagged handicrafts and manufactured goods. These include Patan Patola, Sankheda Furniture, Kutch Embroidery, Surat Zari Craft, Tangaliya Shawl, Jamnagari Bandhani, and several others. This diverse range of GI products reflects Gujarat’s rich cultural heritage and traditional craftsmanship.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel described the GI certification as a tribute to the dedication of farmers and the rich agricultural heritage of Unjha. He linked the recognition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Vocal for Local” and “Local to Global”, which aims to promote local products in international markets.
How GI Tags Benefit Farmers and Exporters
The GI tag brings several tangible economic benefits for farmers and the spice trade. According to the Gujarat government, GI-tagged products can command a 20 to 30 per cent premium over comparable non-GI products. This premium pricing is driven by the certified origin and quality assurance that the tag provides.
For farmers in the Unjha region, the GI tag means better price realisation for their produce. It creates opportunities for value addition, strengthens brand recognition, and opens up new export markets. The certification also helps protect farmers from price fluctuations caused by competition from inferior or counterfeit products sold under the same regional name.
India is the world’s largest producer and exporter of cumin, with significant shipments to markets in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia. Gujarat accounts for a major share of India’s cumin output and exports. The GI certification of Unjha Cumin and Unjha Fennel is expected to further strengthen India’s position in the global spice market by providing traceability and origin-based branding that many international buyers now demand.
The recognition also aligns with India’s broader push to expand exports of value-added agricultural products. With more consumers worldwide seeking authentic, traceable food products, GI certification acts as a powerful marketing tool that differentiates genuine regional products from generic alternatives.
Key Takeaways
- The Geographical Indications Registry (GIR) granted GI tags to Unjha Cumin and Unjha Fennel from Gujarat. The certificates were issued on 28 March 2026.
- GI registration in India is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, which came into force on 15 September 2003.
- The Geographical Indications Registry is headquartered in Chennai and operates under the DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- Darjeeling Tea was India’s first registered GI product in 2004-05. As of mid-2026, India has 822 registered GI products.
- Gujarat now has six GI-tagged agricultural products: Gir Kesar Mango, Bhalia Wheat, Kachchhi Kharek, Amalsadi Chikoo, Unjha Cumin, and Unjha Fennel.
- GI-tagged products can command a 20 to 30 per cent premium over comparable non-GI products.
- Unjha APMC, registered in 1954, is one of Asia’s largest spice markets, handling an annual turnover of approximately ₹20,000 crore.
