GI tags
Why in news?
Tamil Nadu recently received GI tags for five new products, bringing its total to 74. These recognitions, announced around December 2, 2025, highlight the state's artisanal crafts, rice varieties, and traditional sugar production.
New GI Products
- Woraiyur cotton sari: Features Chola-era motifs like diamond shapes, pearl beads, and zari stripes on the border.
- Thooyamalli rice: A traditional variety rich in fibre, vitamins, and minerals, mainly grown in Kancheepuram, ideal for biriyani and pulao.
- Ambasamudram choppu saman: Wooden toys from Ambasamudram, known as choppu samaan.
- Namakkal makkal pathirangal (soapstone cookware): Durable utensils from Namakkal soapstone, resistant to acidic foods like tamarind dishes.
- Kavindapadi nattu sakkarai (country sugar/jaggery powder): Golden-brown sugar from sugarcane fields fed by the Lower Bhavani canal.
Significance
GI tags protect these products' regional uniqueness, preserve heritage, and support local artisans and farmers through initiatives by Poompuhar and state agricultural bodies. Tamil Nadu ranks high in GI products, second only to Uttar Pradesh in some counts.
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