Arunachal Pradesh has achieved a significant milestone in preserving its cultural heritage and indigenous economy with 20 products now receiving Geographical Indication (GI) registration, highlighting the state’s rich tradition of tribal crafts, agriculture, and food products.
The journey began in 2014–15 with the registration of Arunachal orange and Idu Mishmi textile. Since then, with support from NABARD, the state has added 18 more GI-tagged products between 2020 and 2021, covering a wide range of traditional goods including textiles, handicrafts, agricultural produce, and beverages.
Key GI-registered products include Khamti rice, yak churpi, Singpho tea, Apatani textile, Monpa textile, Nyishi textile, Adi apong, Monpa handmade paper, and traditional crafts such as Wangcho wooden items and handmade carpets. Indigenous agricultural items like Adi kekir (ginger), angnyat millet, and marua apo also feature in the list.
Officials stated that GI registration helps protect traditional knowledge, prevent misuse of product identity, and improve market access and pricing for local producers. The initiative is also seen as a step towards promoting rural livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development across tribal communities.
NABARD further noted that its efforts now extend beyond registration to post-GI support, including branding, packaging, capacity building, and market linkage to ensure long-term economic benefits for artisans and farmers.
The achievement marks a major step in safeguarding Arunachal Pradesh’s cultural identity while opening new opportunities in national and global markets.
