5 native products from T, AP seek GI tag

Hyderabad: Five distinct products from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are seeking geographical indications (GI) tag for their regional uniqueness and traditional craftsmanship. Applications for the products, including textiles, terracotta pottery, and an agricultural crop, have been filed with Geographical Indications (GI) Registry in Chennai. The GI move is to secure legal protection for the products, preserve their unique identities, and enhance their marketability both domestically and abroad.
According to documents submitted by GI applicants, two major textile crafts from the Telugu states — Karimnagar double cloth bedsheets and Yemmiganur double layer bedsheets — are among the applicants. Adarsha – No. 1 Handloom Weavers Co-operative Production and Sales Society Limited has applied for the GI tag on behalf of the Karimnagar product, which is woven using a double cloth technique on multi-treadle handlooms. The fabric consists of pure cotton in both warp and weft with a high thread count. Eco-friendly azo-free dyes are used in the process, contributing to long-lasting colour and durability. Over 6,000 registered weavers in Karimnagar, under 35 cooperative societies, are associated with this tradition.
In Andhra Pradesh, the Yemmiganur Weaver's Co-operatives Production & Sale Society Limited has filed for GI status for its double layer bedsheets. Established in 1938, the society has supported a wide range of handloom production in the Kurnool region, currently sustaining around 2,000 weavers who also produce towels, lungies, mosquito nets, and shirt materials.
Silk and Clay Crafts of Rayalaseema Join the List
Sri Chennakesava Silk Weavers Co-operatives Society Limited has applied for GI registration for Jammalamadugu Dupion Silk Furnishings, known for their distinctive slubbed texture created by double cocoons and a lustrous, two-toned sheen resulting from a specific warp and weft combination. This type of silk is used extensively in bridal and formal wear due to its natural sheen and durability.
Palamaner Terracotta Pottery Artisans' Mutually Aided Co-Operative Society Limited has sought GI tag for Palamaner terracotta craft from Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh. Artisans use local red and black clay, mixed with sand, to create a range of items—from half-foot figurines to six-foot sculptures.
Madanapalle Tomato Farmers Hope for Market Edge
The M-Tomato Farmers Producers' Company Limited has filed an application with the Registry for Madanapalle tomato, cultivated in the Chittoor district. The region's elevation of around 900 metres contributes to the fruit's firmness, shelf life, and transport resilience. Unlike hybrid or cherry tomatoes, the Madanapalle variety retains a natural taste and is widely used in commercial markets. Thousands of farmers benefit from this crop, spread over a lakh hectares, with an estimated turnover running into hundreds of crores annually.