Panaji: After securing geographical indication (GI) recognition for 15 traditional Goan products, govt is preparing to seek a GI tag for Pipyri cucumber, a tender cucumber variety grown in parts of Goa.Deepak Parab, the state nodal officer for GI registration, told TOI that the proposal for the cucumber is expected to be filed next month, with the process likely to move forward before the end of this year.Pipyri cucumber is a distinctive local variety particularly associated with areas around Ponda, Madkai and Honda, though it is cultivated in different parts of Goa.Unlike the larger cucumbers commonly available in the market, Pipyri is generally harvested while still tender and finger-sized. It is yellowish-green in colour and sweeter than most cucumbers, with a distinct flavour.The agriculture department does not yet have figures on the total area under cultivation or the variety’s overall production and yield. The data is expected after the department completes its ongoing AgriStack digital crop survey.“We expect the survey to provide a clearer picture of how much Pipyri is being cultivated and where the variety is concentrated,” he said.Another factor supporting GI recognition is the traditional cultivation practice followed by many farmers. Once the plants begin flowering, they avoid chemical pesticides and instead use traditional or locally prepared pest-control methods.He said this practice could form part of the documentation supporting the GI application. “If the application succeeds, Pipyri would become Goa’s first GI-recognised cucumber,” he added.“Community seed banks have been working with Biodiversity Mitras—people identified to help conserve and maintain traditional seeds – to prevent indigenous varieties from disappearing,” said Pradip Sarmokadam, member secretary of the Goa State Biodiversity Board.Sarmokadam called for greater integration of the seed-to-market chain, including encouraging local establishments to become registered sellers of GI-tagged products. “Such a system could ensure that farmers and traditional seed keepers benefit economically from the varieties they preserve,” he said.A GI proposal is also being prepared for zayo, a traditional jasmine-type flower associated with Goa. Proposals have recently been filed for Goan crochet and traditional Goan broom.…
