Mysore/Mysuru: The four-day GI Mahotsav 3.0, organised at the CSIR-CFTRI in city from Dec. 5 to 8, concluded on a highly successful note, drawing an overwhelming response from the public.

The event was jointly conducted by Madurai Agribusiness Incubation Forum (MABIF) in collaboration with MSME, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) and CSIR-CFTRI.

The valedictory session was held in the presence of Er. Ganesh Moorthy, CEO, MABIF, and Dr. Giridhar Parvatam, Director, CSIR-CFTRI, who emphasised the importance of promoting Geographical Indication (GI) products and strengthening the ecosystem for producers and entrepreneurs.

Region-specific goods

The primary objective of the Mahotsav was to create public awareness about GI products, highlight their cultural and economic significance, and encourage stakeholders to pursue more GI registrations.

The expo showcased a diverse array of GI-tagged items from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, attracting more than 5,000 visitors over four days. All exhibitors received participation certificates and stalls recorded strong demand, reflecting rising public interest in authentic, region-specific goods.

The concluding day featured presentations of success stories from GI associations, Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs) and start-ups.

A key highlight was the story of BaKaHu, a CFTRI licensee using institute-developed technology to manufacture raw banana powder — a notable example of research-driven  entrepreneurship.

Prize winners

Prizes were also awarded to the winners of the Student Hackathon. First prize went to a team from CSIR-CFTRI, while 3 teams — from JSS Science & Technology University (JSS STU) and JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER) — secured 2nd prize.

Several business proposals were initiated with GI-registered organisations, paving the way for future collaborations.

GI Mahotsav 3.0, with its vibrant participation from exhibitors, visitors and stakeholders, reaffirmed the importance of GI products in preserving regional heritage and boosting rural livelihoods.