Guwahati, June 14 (IANS) Four iconic cultural and artisan products from Assam have been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status by the Geographical Indications Registry of the Government of India, marking a significant milestone in the preservation of the state’s indigenous heritage and promotion of rural livelihoods, officials said on Sunday.

The newly GI-tagged products are Karbi Anglong Handloom Products, Assam Bihu Pepa, Assam Bamboo Crafts and Deuri Handloom Products, representing a diverse spectrum of Assam’s traditional craftsmanship, tribal heritage and cultural identity.

The certification process was supported and facilitated by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), which has been actively promoting GI registration for unique products from the state.

Loken Das, Chief General Manager of NABARD Assam, said the recognition would strengthen the identity and authenticity of these traditional products while significantly enhancing their market potential at national and international levels.

“These certifications not only strengthen the identity and authenticity of these products but also enhance their market potential at national and international levels. With this achievement, the total number of GI-certified products supported by NABARD has reached 12, marking a significant milestone in promoting heritage-based rural livelihoods,” Das said.

Assam is known for its rich cultural heritage, reflected in its handloom traditions, indigenous crafts and folk art forms. Many of these products are closely linked to the socio-economic fabric of rural communities and embody generations of traditional knowledge and craftsmanship.

Officials said the GI certification would provide legal protection against unauthorised imitation and misuse, while helping artisans and weavers secure better market access, premium pricing and wider recognition for their products.

The development is expected to benefit thousands of rural artisans, craftsmen and weavers across the state by creating new economic opportunities while safeguarding traditional skills.

Speaking on the roadmap ahead, Das said NABARD envisions a comprehensive ecosystem-based strategy for the promotion of GI products, focusing on transforming them into sustainable and remunerative livelihood opportunities.

According to NABARD, the focus will now shift from securing recognition to creating a robust value chain encompassing branding, marketing, capacity building, market linkages and enterprise development.

“The overarching vision is to transform GI-certified products into sustainable, scalable and remunerative livelihood opportunities while preserving Assam’s cultural heritage and promoting inclusive rural development,” Das added.

The latest recognitions further strengthen Assam’s growing portfolio of GI products and underscore efforts to leverage traditional knowledge and cultural assets for rural economic development.

–IANS

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