States » SouthPosted at: Jun 23 2025 8:18PM


Telangana’s renowned Balanagar Custard Apple seeks GI Tag

Hyderabad, June 23 (UNI) In a significant milestone for Telangana’s horticultural journey, the renowned Balanagar Custard Apple in Telangana has been officially filed for Geographical
Indication (GI) registration on Monday under agricultural and horticultural products segment.
The Balanagar variety as the 4th Custard Apple alongside other custard apples in India that have sought or obtained GI protection, including Beed Custard Apple (Maharashtra), Seoni Sitaphal (Madhya Pradesh), and Kanker Custard Apple (Chhattisgarh), further highlighting India’s rich
regional biodiversity.
“Once granted, the GI tag is expected to provide legal protection, strengthen brand identity, and
open premium domestic and international market access for the Balanagar Custard Apple”
This is the 19th GI application from Telangana, reflecting the state’s growing commitment to preserving and promoting its unique agricultural identity.
The application was filed by GI Practitioner Subhajit Saha of Resolute4IP on behalf of three key farmer-based organizations -- Pomal Farmer Producer Company Limited, Balanagar Farmer Producer Company Limited, and The Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society, with funding
support from NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development).
The application was technically facilitated by Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University (SKLTHU) represented Dr Saidaiah Pidigam, who played a pivotal role in compiling scientific documentation and validating the fruit’s unique agro-morphological characteristics.
The Balanagar Custard Apple is prized for its thick rind, high pulp content, minimal seeds, naturally sweet flavor, and long shelf life — qualities that distinguish it from other varieties and make it highly suitable for both fresh consumption and industrial processing.
Its uniqueness is attributed to the region’s diverse agro-climatic conditions, including wild forest growth, domestic cultivation, and border plantations — all of which contribute to the fruit’s
distinctive quality and resilience.
According to Saha, “This GI initiative, supported by NABARD and led by farmer collectives, underscores how formal recognition can create value at the grassroots level while reinforcing Telangana’s position as a hub for high-quality, origin-linked produce. The involvement of Sri
Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University was vital in presenting the scientific evidence required to support this claim.”
The application is currently under review by the Geographical Indications Registry of India.
Saha also mentioned that Telangana is gearing up to file an additional of 6 to 8 GI applications from Handicrafts and Horticulture Products in the coming days signaling a strategic push toward formal recognition and commercialization of the state’s distinctive agro-based products with the coveted GI Tag.
Dr.Pidigam Saidaiah, Principal investigator of the project worked on grass root level and investigated and gathered the requisite information from the Balanagar Custard Apple growing areas, interacted with the farmers and cultivator for filing Balanagar Custard Apple.
SKLTGHU Vice Chancellor Dr. Danda Raji Reddy, said the University is working for protecting the heritage horticultural crops of Telangana, where 6 more crops are in row, which will be filed after
field investigations and farmer interactions.
NABARD CGM Udaya Bhaskar said that NABARD is working for uplifting rural agro based industries for enhancing living standards of farmers and cultivators like custard apple farmers in Mahaboobnagar, Vikarabad and Rangareddy District.
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Tags: #Telangana’s renowned Balanagar Custard Apple seeks GI Tag
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