Madhya Pradesh seeks IPR for wheat variety

After Chanderi Sari, the Madhya Pradesh government is planning to secure intellectual property rights for its Sharbati variety of wheat in the form of geographical indication from the World Intellectual Property Organisation.

The Sharbati variety of wheat is popular in the Indian market for its rich protein content, lustre and palatability.

After Darjeeling Tea, Kanchipuram Silk Saree, Alphanso Mango, Nagpur Organge, Kolhapuri Chappal, Bikaneri Bhujia and Agra Petha, Chanderi sari was the first good from Madhya Pradesh to figure on the "intellectual property" list.

"We have started documentation and the related process for obtaining geographical indication for Sharbati wheat. We are organising a mega Agri-Business Meet on May 25-26 to market the product on a national level buyer-seller platform. We will intensify the process for the commodity after this mega event," Pravesh Sharma, principal secretary, department of agriculture, told Business Standard.

The process, according to him may take another one-and-a-half years. Madhya Pradesh, the third largest producer of wheat, grows 70-75 lakh tones of wheat (this year 76 lakh tones) of which Sharbati variety wheat fetches good prices in domestic and international market.

Reportedly it is exported to some pasta-loving countries. The geographical indication refers to a specific place or region of production that determines the characteristic qualities of the particular product that originates therein. It is important that the product derives its qualities and reputation from that place only.

Since those qualities depend on the place of production, a specific "link" exists between the products and their original place of production.

Sharbati is mostly grown in Malwa region and widely traded from Ashta, Sehore and Vidisha mandis to exporters in Mumbai. Throughout the year Sharbati wheat prices hover around Rs 14-20 per kg across the state.