Agsechi Vayingim (Agassaim Brinjal)

Agassaim Brinjal
Geographical indication
Agsechi Vayingim (Agassaim Brinjal) closeup from a field in Agassaim village
Agsechi Vayingim (Agassaim Brinjal) closeup from a field in Agassaim village
Alternative namesAgsechi Vayingim
DescriptionAgsechi Vayingim (Agassaim Brinjal) is a brinjal variety cultivated in Goa
TypeBrinjal
AreaAgassaim village
CountryIndia
Registered31 July 2023
Official websiteipindia.gov.in

Agassaim Brinjal is a variety of brinjal grown in the Indian state of Goa. It is a common and widely cultivated tropical vegetable crop in the village of Agassaim (Aagshi) located in Tiswadi taluka along with similar coastal parts of Tiswadi of North Goa district.[1][2] It is also cultivated in the coastal parts of Mormugao and Salcete talukas in South Goa district.[3]

Under its Geographical Indication tag, it is referred to as "Agsechi Vayingim (Agassaim Brinjal)".

Name

Agassaim Brinjal is a prized vegetable crop in Agassaim and so named after it.[4]

Local name

It is locally known as Agsechi Vayingim.[5] "Agsechi" means "belonging to village of Aagshi" while "Vayingim" means "Brinjal" in Konkani - the local state language of Goa.[2][6]

Description

Characteristics

  • This variety has an oblong, dark purple body, larger than other local varieties. It is soft and puffy, with more flesh and fewer seeds.[4] Its unique taste and characteristics are due to the local soil and climate. The high soil fertility and good soil conditions also contribute to its productivity.[7]

Cultivation

  • The Agassaim Brinjal is primarily cultivated during the Rabi crop season in Agassaim village. Local farmers have been involved in its production for generations, preserving its uniqueness through traditional farming practices passed down over the years.

Culinary uses

  • The Agassaim Brinjal is used in various dishes, including curries and roasted preparations. It's particularly well-suited for making Bharate, a traditional dish where roasted brinjal is crushed and mixed with onion, garlic, green chili, and a pinch of salt.

Actual photos from an agriculturist from Agassaim village - among the original applicants for the GI Tag registration.

  • Agassaim Brinjal saplings
    Agassaim Brinjal saplings
  • Agassaim Brinjal field
    Agassaim Brinjal field
  • Unplucked brinjals in a field
    Unplucked brinjals in a field
  • Freshly plucked brinjals from the field
    Freshly plucked brinjals from the field
  • Another photo of plucked brinjals
    Another photo of plucked brinjals

Geographical indication

It was awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) status tag from the Geographical Indications Registry, under the Union Government of India, on 31 July 2023 and is valid until 27 June 2031.[3]

Agassaim Brinjal Growers and Sellers Association from Malwara Agassaim, proposed the GI registration of Agsechi Vayingim (Agassaim Brinjal). After filing the application in June 2021, the Brinjal was granted the GI tag in 2023 by the Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai, making the name "Agsechi Vayingim (Agassaim Brinjal)" exclusive to the Brinjal grown in the region.[8] It thus became the first brinjal variety from Goa and the 6th type of goods from Goa to earn the GI tag.

The GI tag protects the brinjal from illegal selling and marketing, and gives it legal protection and a unique identity.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Goa's delicacies finally get a GI tag | Business Goa". 28 August 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  2. ^ a b Team, Herald (3 August 2023). "GI tag for Bebinca, Mankurad, Agsechi Vayingim & Sat Shiro Bheno". Herald Goa. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Agsechi Vayingim (Agassaim Brinjal)". Intellectual Property India. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  4. ^ a b Team, Herald (17 April 2015). "Agassaim: Where people have left, but the green veggies haven't". Herald Goa. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  5. ^ "Geographical indication tag for agricultural produces". ResearchGate GmbH. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  6. ^ "GI Tags for Goan Products | Business Goa". 30 October 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  7. ^ "ICAR-CCARI, Goa". Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  8. ^ Kandavel, Sangeetha (31 July 2023). "Tamil Nadu's Jaderi 'namakatti', chedibutta saree and Kanniyakumari Matti banana get GI tag". The Hindu. Retrieved 1 December 2024.