Exports of GI certified Bhalia wheat from Gujarat begins

WHY IN NEWS?

First shipment of Geographical Indication (GI) certified Bhalia variety of wheat was exported to Kenya and Sri Lanka from Gujarat, giving a boost to wheat exports.

About Bhalia Variety of Wheat

• GI certified wheat has high protein content and has sweet taste.
• It is grown mostly across Bhal region of Gujarat. It is also grown in Ahmedabad, Kheda, Anand, Bhavnagar, Bhavnagar and Bharuch districts.
• This unique characteristic of wheat variety is grown in rainfed condition without irrigation and cultivated across two lakh hectares of agricultural land in Gujarat.
• Bhalia variety of wheat received GI certification in July, 2011.
• Registered proprietor of GI certification is Anand Agricultural University in Gujarat.