Warangal’s Chapata Chilli Set To Get GI Tag

It is believed that the Warangal Chapata Chilli has been in cultivation in the villages of Nagaram of Jammikunta Mandal for more than 80 years

Hyderabad: Chapata chilli cultivated in Warangal, also known as tomato chilli, is set to get the GI (Geographical Indication) registration tag from the GI Registry, government of India, soon. Warangal Chapata chilli is characterised as less pungent with high colour.

The application was filed by Thimmampet Chilly Farmer Producer Company Ltd in 2022, and was facilitated by Janna Reddy Venkat Reddy Horticultural Research Station, and Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University, Telangana. Subhajit Saha, a GI Practitioner and Founder of Resolute4IP, helped in working on the application, and compliance of technical requirements needed to receive GI registration.

It is believed that the Warangal Chapata Chilli has been in cultivation in the villages of Nagaram of Jammikunta Mandal for more than 80 years, while Nadikuda Village and Mandal could be the oldest source. Later it spread over the surrounding villages by sharing of seed through their relatives, particularly the Velama community. Warangal Chapata Chilli has three fruit types namely the single Patti, double Patti and Odalu, an official release mentioned.

On the GI process, Saha said that the GI application is now published in the GI journal which is an important milestone in GI registration. He believes that post the GI registration the Warangal chilli farmers can market their produce with higher price and see an increase in domestic market and export market demands.

There will soon be a day when Indian Restaurants and also supermarkets will have GI tagged chilli powder or a recipe made from this chilli. This acknowledgement will make customers aware of the product and its premium, Saha added.