The four-day GI Mahotsav 3.0, organised at Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR-CFTRI), Mysuru, concluded on a successful note, drawing an overwhelming response from the public. The event was organised by Madurai Agri Business Incubation Forum (MABIF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) and CSIR-CFTRI.The valedictory function of the Mahotsav was held in the presence of Ganesh Moorthy, CEO, MABIF, and Giridhar Parvatam, director, CSIR–CFTRI, who highlighted the importance of promoting Geographical Indication (GI) products and strengthening the ecosystem for producers and entrepreneurs.The primary objective of the GI Mahotsav was to create awareness among the public about GI products, their cultural and economic significance, and to motivate stakeholders to pursue more GI registrations in the future. The expo showcased a wide range of GI-tagged items from various regions of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, attracting over 5,000 visitors across four days. All exhibitors received certificates of participation, and the stalls reported a strong demand for GI products, reflecting the growing public interest in authentic and region-specific goods, according to CSIR-CFTRI.The concluding day featured presentations of success stories from GI associations, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and startups. A notable highlight was the story shared by BaKaHu, a CFTRI licensee leveraging the institute’s technology for producing raw banana powder, demonstrating the positive impact of research-driven entrepreneurship.As part of the event, prizes were distributed to winners of the student hackathon. The first prize was secured by a team from CSIR–CFTRI, while three teams representing JSS Science and Technology University and JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSS AHER) were awarded the second prize. Further, GI-registered organisations received many business proposals and future collaborations were also proposed during the event, a press release said.The GI Mahotsav 3.0 received an enthusiastic response from exhibitors, visitors, and stakeholders alike, reinforcing the significance of GI products in preserving regional heritage and boosting rural livelihoods, scientists at the premier institute said.Published - December 09, 2025 06:58 pm IST