Balanagar Custard Apple Seeks GI Tag, Set to Become Telangana’s 19th Geographical Indication
Hyderabad, June 23, 2025: In a significant step towards preserving Telangana’s horticultural legacy, the famed Balanagar Custard Apple has officially been filed for Geographical Indication (GI) registration. The application, submitted on June 23, 2025, under Class 31 (agricultural and horticultural products), bears GI Application Number 1569. This move marks the 19th GI application from Telangana, underscoring the state’s growing recognition of its unique agro-heritage.
The application was filed by GI practitioner Subhajit Saha of Resolute4IP, on behalf of three prominent farmer collectives: Pomal Farmer Producer Company Limited, Balanagar Farmer Producer Company Limited, and The Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society. The initiative is supported by NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) and technically facilitated by Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University (SKLTHU).
Dr. Pidigam Saidaiah, the university’s Principal Investigator for the project, played a key role in compiling scientific documentation and authenticating the fruit’s agro-morphological characteristics. Under the guidance of Dr. Danda Raji Reddy, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of SKLTHU, Dr. Saidaiah conducted extensive fieldwork, engaging with farmers across Balanagar’s cultivation regions to collect data and verify the uniqueness of the crop.
The Balanagar Custard Apple is cherished for its thick rind, rich pulp, few seeds, naturally sweet flavor, and long shelf life—traits that distinguish it from other custard apple varieties and make it ideal for both fresh consumption and industrial processing. Its distinctiveness is rooted in the region’s diverse agro-climatic conditions, encompassing wild forest growth, domestic farming, and border plantations.
Once registered, the GI tag is expected to provide legal protection, establish a strong brand identity, and boost market access for farmers—both within India and internationally. It will also facilitate the introduction of structured packaging, origin-based marketing, and authorised user registration, directly benefiting local cultivators and promoting sustainable rural development.
The Balanagar variety will join the ranks of other custard apples in India that have obtained or sought GI status, including the Beed Custard Apple (Maharashtra), Seoni Sitaphal (Madhya Pradesh), and Kanker Custard Apple (Chhattisgarh), reaffirming the country’s rich regional biodiversity.
“This GI initiative, supported by NABARD and driven by farmer collectives, demonstrates how formal recognition can empower grassroots producers while solidifying Telangana’s image as a source of premium, origin-specific produce,” said Mr. Subhajit Saha. “The involvement of SKLTHU was crucial in supplying the scientific evidence required to support the claim.”
Dr. Danda Raji Reddy, Vice Chancellor of SKLTHU, emphasized the university’s ongoing mission to safeguard Telangana’s horticultural heritage, adding that six more traditional crops are currently under study for future GI applications.
Sri Udaya Bhaskar, Chief General Manager of NABARD, stated that the project aims to uplift rural communities and enhance the livelihood of farmers, especially those cultivating custard apple in Mahabubnagar, Vikarabad, and Rangareddy districts. P. Manohar Reddy, District Development Manager of NABARD in Mahabubnagar, along with his team, supported the study and documentation of the Balanagar Custard Apple.
With this GI application now under review by the Geographical Indications Registry of India, Telangana stands poised to add another feather to its cap, while giving the humble custard apple the national and global recognition it richly deserves.
