Goa’s Khola Chilli Gets Geographical Indication Tag
There is fabulous news for not just the Goans but all Indians as well. The famous Khola Chilli or Kholchi Mirchi that’s being grown on the hills of Khola village in Canacona taluka region of Goa has received the Geographical Indication tag from the Geographical Indications Registry. The prestigious GI certificate for this Chilli variety has come to give exclusive brand protection rights to the farmers of Canacona who has been growing this horticultural spice crop for ages. This award has thrown up remarkable opportunities to the cultivators as well as authorities to take the Canacona Chilli to the worldwide market. It is believed that most of the Chillies varieties grown in Goa today were introduced by the Portuguese. However, over the centuries, various hybrid varieties have emerged from what’s brought from overseas. Science and Technology Minister Michael Lobo announced that the Khola Chilli is the first agriculture produce of the state to get the GI tag. The state government now plans to receive the GI tag for other items like Goa’s coconut vinegar, Harmal Chillies, Maindoli banana, Bebinca, Mancurad mango, Cashew nuts, Brinjal, local rice varieties, etc.