Exports of GI certified Bhalia wheat from Gujarat begins

Source: PIB

 What is the News?

The first shipment of Geographical Indication (GI) certified Bhalia variety of wheat was exported to Kenya and Sri Lanka from Gujarat.

About Bhalia Wheat:

• Bhalia Wheat is also known as Daudkhani Wheat.It is a type of long grain wheat cultivated in Bhal region in the north of Gulf of Khambhat, Gujarat, India.
• Characteristics: The unique characteristic of the Bhalia wheat is that it is grown in the rainfed condition without irrigation and cultivated in around two lakh hectares of agricultural land in Gujarat.
• GI Tag: The Bhalia variety of wheat received GI certification in 2011.The registered proprietor of GI certification is Anand Agricultural University, Gujarat.
• Nutritional Benefits: Bhalia Wheat is rich in Gluten, a type of amino acid.It has high protein content and is sweet in taste.

Wheat Exports:

• In 2020-21, the wheat exports from India witnessed a significant growth of 808 % to Rs 4034 crore from Rs 444 crore reported in 2019-20.
• India exported a substantial quantity of the Wheat to seven new countries – Yemen, Indonesia, Bhutan, Philippines, Iran, Cambodia and Myanmar during 2020-21.