Vellore Elavambadi Brinjal:
Update – As of February 2023, the GI tag has been attained for Vellore Elavambadi Brinjal which was initially processed during July 2021.
Vellore Elavambadi Brinjal has been famous for decades. Before Vellore district was formed, North Arcot District was famous for Briyani. Elavambadi Brinjal was used as side dish for it. Some of the other famous items includes Arcot Makan Peda (a sweet) which is still famous in the Arcot region.
The vegetable which is grown in the Vellore district has been considered as a tasty one. Typically grown around Gudiyatham, KV Kuppam and Aniacut regions, this variety is regarded as “Spiny Brinjal” or “Mullu Kathirikai” (வேலூர் முள்ளு கத்திரிக்காய்)
Since its more grown in the “Elavambadi” area in Vellore district, they are locally called as “Elavambadi Kathirkai” or “Elavambadi Mullu Kathirikai” which has a good demand locally as well as in other districts.
Tamil Nadu Horticulture department has now initiated the process to bag GI tag for Vellore spiny brinjal. They have documented the completed details of this vegetable including its geographical location, duration of cultivation, yield and more for this process. Key highlights of this vegetable is its taste, lasting texture and resistance against pest attacks.
This vegetable is expected to grown in a span of 2 months in the areas where it’s cultivated.
This GI tag will help the local farmers to get a better price for their vegetable in the local as well as other markets where its being currently exported to. Also the GI tag helps Vellore to position itself with the identity similar to how other places are referred.
Currently there are 32 GI tags for Tamil Nadu and Vellore is yet to have a GI tag. Some of the famous GI tags include Arani Silks, Madurai Malli and so on.
If “Elavambadi Brinjal” makes it to the GI tag list, it will be the 1st GI tag for Namma Vellore.
Picture Credit – New Indian Express
