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Agriculture
Rajasthan Farmers Protest GI Status for Unjha Jeera and Saunf
✍️ Indian Express
🗓 27 Jul 2026, 06:23 AM
👁 5
Farmers in Rajasthan’s Unjha have voiced opposition to the Geographical Indication (GI) registration for their locally grown cumin (jeera) and fennel (saunf), arguing it could hurt their market.
Farmers from the Unjha region of Rajasthan have staged a protest against the recent Geographical Indication (GI) registration for their locally cultivated cumin and fennel. The GI status, which is intended to protect the unique identity of regional products, has raised concerns among growers that it may restrict their ability to sell the spices freely in broader markets.
The protest, held in the town’s main market area, was organized by local farmer cooperatives who claim that the GI designation could lead to higher costs of compliance and limit their access to buyers outside the region. They fear that the registration may also create a monopoly that could favor larger traders.
Officials from the Department of Agriculture have said that the GI process is meant to enhance the reputation of regional produce, but they have acknowledged the farmers’ apprehensions and promised to review the implementation details. The farmers have called for a transparent dialogue to address their concerns before the GI is fully enforced.
The issue has drawn attention to the broader debate over how GI registrations affect small‑scale producers across India. While the government promotes GI as a tool for market differentiation, farmers in Unjha argue that without adequate safeguards, the system could disadvantage those who rely on direct sales.
The protest is expected to continue until a consensus is reached between the farmers and the authorities. In the meantime, the local market remains active, with traders and consumers continuing to buy and sell cumin and fennel as usual.
The protest, held in the town’s main market area, was organized by local farmer cooperatives who claim that the GI designation could lead to higher costs of compliance and limit their access to buyers outside the region. They fear that the registration may also create a monopoly that could favor larger traders.
Officials from the Department of Agriculture have said that the GI process is meant to enhance the reputation of regional produce, but they have acknowledged the farmers’ apprehensions and promised to review the implementation details. The farmers have called for a transparent dialogue to address their concerns before the GI is fully enforced.
The issue has drawn attention to the broader debate over how GI registrations affect small‑scale producers across India. While the government promotes GI as a tool for market differentiation, farmers in Unjha argue that without adequate safeguards, the system could disadvantage those who rely on direct sales.
The protest is expected to continue until a consensus is reached between the farmers and the authorities. In the meantime, the local market remains active, with traders and consumers continuing to buy and sell cumin and fennel as usual.