Sirsa, July 3: The prestigious Geographical Indication tag has been officially granted to the Sirsa kinnow, marking a historic milestone as the first fruit from Haryana to receive this national recognition. The certification provides the citrus fruit with a protected identity, shielding it from imitation while promising to elevate its market value and international export prospects. Officials noted that the achievement reflects over a decade of dedicated modern agricultural practices developed at the Indo-Israel Centre of Excellence in Mangiana village.
The specific qualities of the local produce played a central role in securing the certification. District Horticulture Officer Deen Mohammad stated, “Sirsa kinnow is sweeter, juicier and larger in size than fruit grown in many other regions, helping it earn the GI recognition.” The official process for the tag was set in motion by the Horticulture Department working closely with the Farmer Producer Organisation of Khari Sureran village.
Agricultural experts trace the success back to 2013, when local growers began adopting advanced Israeli farming techniques. Dr Ramesh Kumar, Deputy Director of Horticulture and incharge of the centre, affirmed that experts introduced growers to advanced techniques such as drip irrigation, fertigation, high-density plantation and scientific nutrient management. These modern methods have successfully optimized production across the region, turning Sirsa into the leading kinnow-producing hub in the state with orchards spanning over 13,000 hectares and yielding around 1.82 lakh metric tonnes annually.
The long-term economic impact of this certification is expected to transform the regional agricultural economy. Horticulture and agriculture expert Gurjeet Singh Maan declared that the GI recognition would further strengthen the Sirsa kinnow brand in domestic and international markets while ensuring better returns for growers.
