PANAJI
The Goa government has initiated a process to get its popular meat product -- Sausages aka choris -- Geographical Indication (GI) status.
The Department of Science and Technology is appointed as the Nodal Department to undertake GI registrations, for various Goan items/produce such as agricultural, handicrafts, food items and handloom. The Goa State Council for Science and Technology works as facilitator for the said work.
The nodal is presently working to get a GI tag for Goan sausages. However, in the absence of Choris producers association, the proposal cannot be moved forward.
As such, as a step in that direction, it has initiated a procedure to bring all the stakeholders on a single platform by proposing a Goa Choris Producers Association.
According to the government, constituting a Choris Producers Association will help to standarize the process of sausage making and prepare a plan of action for branding the meat product with GI tag, upon receipt of it.
Hence, the meeting of all Choris producers across the State is scheduled on November 6 to discuss the formation of producers association and elect a managing committee. “The Association has to move a formal proposal to the State for GI tag, which the State will recommend to the GI Registry,” official said.
The study by the ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (CCARI) shows that some samples of Goan sausages can last without refrigeration longer than regular meats.
Till date, Goa has got GI tag for total ten items including Mancurad mango, Bebinca, Agassaim brinjal, cashew nut, seven-sided okra, Moira Banana, Harmal Chillies, Feni, Khola Chillies and Khajem.
State has also prepared a list of 14 more items including Fish Curry, Mix Pav Bhaji, Coconut Feni, Khatkhate (Mix Vegetable Stew), Bangdyachi Uddamethi (mackerel curry), Kunbi saree, Korgut rice for GI tag.
