Issued by India

Issued on Feb 13, 2023

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue Commemorative Postage Stamps on Geographical Indications for Agricultural Goods and pays tribute to collective and intellectual heritage of India.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure : Shri Suresh Kumar
Cancellation cachet : Mrs. Nenu Gupta

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise (12)

Souvenir Sheet Printed : 111000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Geographical indications (GIs) are intellectual property (IP) rights that serve to identify a product that originates from a specific geographical area and that has a quality, reputation, or other characteristics that are essentially attributable to its geographical origin. There are many laws and treaties enacted by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and World Trade Organisation (WTO) for the protection of Geographical Indications.
• The Geographical Indications Registry in India examines applications for GI in India and when an application for a GI is accepted, the same is notified in the GI Journal and if no opposition is received, the Geographical Indications is registered.
• Government of India enacted Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. This act came into force in September, 2003. Geographical Indications are part of our collective and intellectual heritage that needs to be protected and promoted. These individual treasures, rooted in Indian traditions, deserve to be shared with people across the globe.
• The Kashmir Saffron is cultivated and harvested in the Karewas (high lands) of Jammu and Kashmir by local farmers. It is the only Saffron grown at an altitude of 1600m to 1800m (above the mean Sea Level) in the world, which adds to its uniqueness and differentiates it from other Saffron varieties available in the world market. The Kashmir Saffron also has the distinction of being totally chemical free, organic and safest choice of consumers.
• The Wild Apricot commonly known as Chulli grows abundantly in the wild, in the districts of Shimla, Mandi, Kullu, Chamba, Sirmour, Kinnaur and Lahaul–Spiti of Himachal Pradesh. Himachali Chulli Oil is locally extracted for domestic use in almost all local households and is considered to be a good source of polyunsaturated fatty acids with nutritional and pharmaceutical value.
• The Ganjam Kewda Flower grows on a small tree or shrub which is both cultivated and grows wild, in coastal areas of Odisha. About 80-85% of Kewda canopy is concentrated within 10 km radius from the sea coast. The male flower “spikes” are used for producing perfume, aromatic oil (known as kewda oil) and fragrant distillation (otto) called “kewda-ka-arak”.
• The Kaji Nemu (Assam Lemon) is considered to have originated as a chance seedling raised in the citrus station Bumihut from the progeny of variety collected under the name China-kaghi from the village Hashara, in the district of Sivasagar. Kaji Nemu is relatively larger than the regular lemon. The sour citrus fruit is widely used in beverages, industries and medicines. Even after ripening it doesn’t fall from the tree for a very long period.
• The three major varieties of Mahabaleshwar Strawberry are Chandler, Sweet Charlie and Camarossa. Mahabaleshwar contributes about 90% of the total production of Strawberries in India. The climatic and soil conditions of Mahabaleshwar lead to a unique blend of strawberry having a distinct aroma and colour. It contains up to 80% water which makes it juicier than other strawberries. It is also sweeter than strawberries grown elsewhere due to higher percentage of glucose.
• The Allahabad Surkha Guava is distinguished by its large size, thin skin, thick flesh that is occasionally of deep pink colour, sweet taste, pleasant aroma and presence of numerous seeds. The specific area known for Allahabad Surkha Guava is situated between rivers Yamuna and Ganga. It has distinct agro-climatic conditions considered responsible for the special characteristics of Allahabad Surkha Guava.
• The Shahi Litchi of Bihar is one of the best varieties of litchi mainly grown in Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Vaishali, Sitamarhi, East Champaran, Siwan, Darbhanga, Sheohar, Begusarai and adjoining areas of Bihar. It is an early maturing variety that starts maturing in the 2^nd week of May and continues till the 1^st week of June. Fruits are of large size, round in shape and crimson red in colour. Its juicy aril (the edible portion) is of cream colour.
• The Naga Tree Tomato is a fruit that grows on trees and has a close resemblance of tomato. However, it is not a true tomato. It is grown widely throughout the state of Nagaland and has been a traditional food item of the Naga people since time immemorial. It is known locally as “Si Binyano” and “Khwtidi”. Naga Tree Tomato fruits are smooth, egg-shaped with a thin skin and a soft flesh during ripening and usually weigh about 100-150 gm. The fruit is rich in vitamins A and C as well as an excellent source of calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium.
• The Gir Kesar Mango is a well-known variety of mango grown particularly in the Junagadh region of Gujarat. The term ‘Kesar’ (saffron) is used to describe this variety due to the saffron colour of the fruit pulp which has almost no fiber. The fruit is oblong in shape, weighs about 250-300 gm and tastes sweet. The tree is hardy, single stemmed and slow growing which takes about 3-4 years to bear fruit. It is a regular bearer and bears fruits every year.
• The Bangalore Blue Grapes are grown primarily in the Bangalore Rural district in Hoskote, Dodballarpur, Neelamangala and Devanahalli. Berries are small sized, dark purple, ovoid and seeded with thick skin. The juice of berries is purple coloured, clear and has a pleasant flavour.
• The Vazhakulam Pineapple is grown in Ernakulam, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Idukki districts of Kerala. It is locally known as ‘Kannara’. The plant is about 85-90 cm in height with spiny leaves and yields fruits in about 12 months. The average fruit weighs around 1200 g. The fruit has a pleasant aroma, slightly conical shape, crisp, sweet and golden yellow flesh.
• The Eathomozhy Tall Coconut is a natural selection of traditional variety of west coast tall coconuts that adapts well to the soil and climatic conditions of Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, India. Eathomozhy Tall Coconut is known for its sturdy stem, large crown, fairly big sized nuts, with good fibre in the thick shell, kernel and high copra and oil contents. The nuts are round or oblong and dark or light green in colour. They mature in 11-12 months.
• Text : Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.

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Issued by India

Issued on Jan 8, 2018

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a set of two Commemorative Postage Stamps on ICAR – Central Plantation Crops Research Institute on celebration of 100 illustrious years of excellence in research by the Institute.

Credits :
Stamp/Miniature Sheet/FDC/Brochure : Sh. Suresh Kumar
Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise, 1500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 601100, 501100

Miniature Sheet Printed : 1.10 Lakh

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CPCRI), Kasaragod, is celebrating its 100^th year in research. Established as a Coconut Research Station in 1916, the Institute has been undertaking research and extension activities on plantation crops, especially coconut, arecanut and cocoa for nearly a century.
• The Coconut Research Station at Kasaragod in Kerala was initially established in 1916 by the Presidency of Madras and subsequently it was taken over by the Indian Central Coconut Committee in 1948. The ICAR – Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CPCRI) has come into existence in 1970 as one of the agricultural research institutes in the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) under the ICAR by merging Central Coconut Research Station, Kasaragod, Central Coconut Research Station, Kayamkulam as well as Central Arecanut Research Station, Vittal and its five substations at Palode and Kannara (Kerala), Hirehalli (Karnataka), Mohitnagar (West Bengal) and Kahikuchi (Assam).
• The Central Coconut Research Station (CCRS) at Kayamkulam was established in 1948 by the Indian Central Coconut Committee. The CCRS had its origin in the erstwhile Agricultural Research Laboratory (Office of the Plant Pathologist) started in 1937, with its headquarters at Kollam and a field station at Kayamkulam mainly to tackle plant protection problems of coconut. The ICAR took over the administrative control of CCRS from 1^st April, 1966 following the abolition of the Commodity Committees. With the establishment of ICAR-CPCRI in 1970 at Kasaragod, Kayamkulam centre was established as one of the regional stations.
• The research efforts on arecanut started as early as 1947 through the establishment of adhoc arecanut committee by ICAR to study the problems of arecanut industry. The committee gave a firm foundation for arecanut research by establishing the Central Arecanut Research Station (CARS) at Vittal in 1956. Consequent to the establishment of the ICAR-CPCRI in 1970, the CARS became the Regional Station of the Institute.
• The Research Centre (RC), Kahikuchi came into force in 1959 as Regional Arecanut Research Station under Central Arecanut Research Station (CARS). Later, the centre was amalgamated with the ICAR-CPCRI in 1970 as one of the research centres.
• The Research Centre, Mohitnagar (WB) was established in the year 1958 as Regional Arecanut Research Station under Central Arecanut Research Station. Later, the centre was merged with ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod in 1970 and designated as one of the research centres.
• The ICAR-CPCRI Research Centre Kidu was established as Seed Farm in the year 1972 with an aim to produce genetically superior planting materials of coconut, arecanut, cocoa and cashew and subsequently upgraded to Research Centre in 2002. At present, the farm has 120 hectare of lease land of which 92.5 hectare are under coconut, 7.5 hectare under arecanut and 2.5 hectare under cocoa. International Coconut Gene Bank for South Asia (ICG-SA) under Bioversity – Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGENT) was established at this centre in the year 1998.
• The Minicoy centre, previously known as ‘ICAR Research Complex for Lakshadweep’ was established at Minicoy Island during 1976, under the overall administrative control of CPCRI. Consequent upon the formation of the Island Zone under the ICAR system, the station was merged with the ICAR-Central Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CARI), Port Blair, Andamans during 1989. Subsequently, based on the repeated requests from the farming community and the Department of Agriculture, Union territory of Lakshadweep, the Station was brought again under the administrative control of ICAR-CPCRI during 1994 and operated as one of the Regional Stations of CPCRI till 2011. The centre has also received the farm land and facilities of the erstwhile Research Centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) functioned at Minicoy during 2006. Since 2011, the station at Minicoy functions as a demonstration-cum-production centre for enhancing the production and availability of fruits and vegetables in the Island.
• The All India Co-ordinated Coconut and Arecanut Improvement Project (AICCAIP) started functioning from 1972 with its headquarters at CPCRI, Kasaragod. Since 1986, it functions as the All India Coordinated Research Project on Palm (AICRPP) and is presently implemented in 21 Centre’s located in 12 State Agricultural Universities and one Central Institute. CPCRI is also the mother institute in the ICAR plantation crops sector and has nurtured the establishment of four institutes, viz. ICAR – Central Coastal Agricultural Institute of Spices Research and ICAR – Directorate of Cashew Research.
• The Institute has provided an inspiring leadership in research and development of technologies contributing to India’s emergence as the world leader in the production of coconut and arecanut. The Institute has added many feathers to its crown including development of high yielding varieties in all mandate crops, new biotechnological applications, bio-control for diseases and pests, production technologies for enhancing productivity of cropping system, improved machineries for post and pre-harvest processes and new value added products. Further its achievement in development of technologies, the institute has been successful in taking it to the farmers and other stake holders through innovative technology transfer initiatives. Recognizing the yeoman services rendered, ICAR bestowed the ‘Sardar Patel Outstanding Institution Award’ to CPCRI in the year 2002.
• Text : Based on the information received from proponent.

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Issued by Israel

Issued on 5 Jun, 2014

Picture : The stamp features two types of fruit that are characteristic of their countries – a pomegranate from Israel and a mangosteen fruit from Thailand.

In addition to their tastiness, each of these fruits has symbolic significance in the traditions of its people and its country.

In Jewish tradition, the pomegranate symbolizes beauty, fertility and abundance. It is also one of the seven species mentioned in the Bible as being special agricultural products of Eretz Israel.

The mangosteen fruit, a very popular tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia, is known as the “Queen of Thai Fruit” probably because of its beautiful appearance and pleasant taste.

Each of these fruits is known to possess its own medicinal properties and they are also combined in food supplements, health drinks and beauty creams.

Photo by : Shutterstock

Type : Stamp with Tab, Mint Condition and First Day Cover

Security mark : Microtext

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 3.10 Shekel

Plate : 949

Stamps per Sheet : 15

Tabs per Sheet : 5

Method of Printing : Offset

Printer : Joh. Enschede, The Netherlands

About : 

• The State of Israel and the Kingdom of Thailand have enjoyed friendly diplomatic relations for 60 years, since their establishment in 1954.
• These friendly relations include successful cooperation in many areas such as agriculture, water management, advanced technology, education and medicine.
• The versatile relations between these two countries have been demonstrated through a number of historical visits by members of the Thai royal family to Israel and by Israeli dignitaries to Thailand.
• A great many Israeli tourists visit Thailand each year, enjoying the rich culture, beautiful scenery and warm hospitality that Thailand has to offer.
• The employment of Thai workers in Israeli agriculture led to the signing of a unique agreement in 2011, aimed at protecting the rights of foreign migrant workers.
• Every year Israel welcomes hundreds of Thai students and professionals who come to attend various training programs, mainly in the fields of agriculture, technology and education.
  

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Issued by India

Issued on Nov 11, 2002

Issued for : Nagpur, the small settlement started in 1702 by Bakht Buland Shah by integrating twelve nondescript hamlets of Rajapur–Barsa, is today a sprawling urban centre with a population of 2.2 million. It is an important commercial and industrial centre and ranks among the 15 largest cities of India. The Department of Posts joins the tercentenary celebrations of Nagpur with the issue of a commemorative stamp.

Design : The design of the stamp, while depicting two landmarks of Nagpur, namely, the Vidhan Bhavan and the Samadhi of Raghuji Bhonsle, also elaborates on the theme of “The Orange City of India“ by which epithet it is widely known. The stamps are brought out in the form of a sheetlet, which also carries a portrait (an artist’s impression) of Bakht Buland. A collage of images relating to the city features on the First Day Cover.

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Kamleshwar Singh
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multicolour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Overall size : 5.25 x 2.60 cms.

Printing size : 5.25 x 2.50 cms.

Perforation : 13 x 13

Paper : Imported un w/m adhesive gravure coated stamp paper in sheets 50.8 x 53.5 cms.

Print quantity : 0.1 million Sheetlets

Number of stamps per sheetlet : 12

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press, Nashik

About : 

• The Indian city had developed an identity of its own at the time of the Indus Valley Civilization itself, viz. as early as circa 2500 B.C. Subsequently, in the texts belonging to the period of advent of the Aryans, the city has been exalted as nagara, the location of civilised life. Indian cities responded with considerable resilience to survive many a phase of political flux in the middle ages. Later, in the Mughal and post-Mughal periods, cities came to perform the additional role of asserting and maintaining the power and legitimacy of regimes. It was for this reason that many rulers felt the need to found new cities around them.
• The civilised life of the city of Delhi had inspired Bhakt Buland, the Gond King of Deogarh to start building his new capital at Nagpur. His successor Chand Sultan continued the work of town building on an expanded scale. The Bhonsalas who took over as rulers in 1742 left their mark on Nagpur in terms of promotion of agriculture and industry and patronage to literary, cultural and religious activities. Development of the city took a different turn after it fell into the hands of the British in the mid-nineteenth century. The disruptive impact of colonial rule was felt most on the organic evolution of the city and its socio-economic profile. The city was reduced to a centre for bulking of agricultural and forest produce and pumping in of imported merchandise into the hinterlands. Nagpur was made the capital of Central Province & Berar, for geo-strategic reasons. No doubt the pitchforking of the city into the world-wide network of colonial economy through the new road and rail links helped it to overcome the intrinsic limitations of autonomous growth, but this came about at a huge cost, namely the fragmentation of its social, cultural and architectural environment.
• It the post-independence era, Nagpur was included in Maharashtra after re-organisation of states, with the status of the second capital of the state. In the last fifty years, it has been one of the fastest growing cities of India. The rapid increase of population has brought with it the attendant strains on infrastructure and ecology. These problems are being addressed through the concerted efforts of various government agencies and some concerned citizens.
• The industrial base of Nagpur is today a diversified one, covering ferromanganese products, other metal goods, cotton processing and ginning and paint industries. The city is located in the country’s geographical centre and has excellent connectivity through road, rail and air. Nagpur has done well in managing its environment and is one among the greenest cities of India. The city boasts of a cosmopolitan populace and with its rich blend of tradition and modernity, is truly a representative urban centre of India.
• Text : Based on material furnished by the sponsors.

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Issued by Sweden

Issued on Sep 8, 1977

Issued for : Wild Berries

Designed by : Lennart Helje [a Swedish painter/ illustrator, fairy tale artist]

Picture : Different Types of Wild Berries in Sweden. 75o – Blackberry, 75o – Cranberry, 75o – Raspberry, 75o – Whortleberry & 75o – Alpine Strawberry.

Colour : Multicoloured

Type : Stamps, Postal Used

Watermark : No

Denomination : 75 Öre each

Perforation : 14 on 3 Sides

Printing Process : Photogravure

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Issued by India

Issued on Dec 27, 1976

Issued for :  The Posts & Telegraphs Department is happy to bring out a postage stamp to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Coconut Research in India.

Description of Design : The stamp depicts a young hybrid (between tall and dwarf forms) coconut palm.

Type : Stamp, Postal Used

Colour : Multicolour

Denomination : 25 Paise

Overall size : 3.91 X 2.90 cms.

Printing size : 3.55 X 2.54 cms.

Perforation : 13 x 13

Watermark : Printed on unwatermarked adhesive stamp paper

Number printed : 30,00,000

Number per issue sheet : 35

Printing process : Photogravure

Designed and printed at : India Security Press

About : 

• Literary classics of India have rightly termed the coconut tree as Kalpavriksha – the all-giving tree. It is also one of the five legendary Devavrikshas or Godly trees. The tree is capable of providing all the primary needs of man. It is one of the most important tree crops of the world and the most beautiful among the palms with its strong and long ringed trunk (up to 30 metres) surmounted at the top by a graceful crown of giant feather-like leaves.
• Every part of the tree finds a variety of uses for mankind. Oil is extracted from the dried kernel of the fruits. The kernel itself is used in an array of culinary preparations. The oil is not only a wholesome cooking medium but also has many other uses – in the manufacture of soaps, detergents, synthetic rubber, glycerine, etc. Coconut water is a delicious and nutritive drink. The tender kernel is a delicacy. The fibre from the husk has versatile uses for making ropes, mats, baskets, brushes, brooms,etc., and also for rubberised mattresses. The young inflorescence when tapped gives a sap which is a refreshing beverage when fresh, and on fermentation it gives toddy, a mild alcoholic drink. From the fresh sap sugar is also made. The shell finds varied usages, as fuel, drinking bowls, ladles, bangles, buttons, etc. The trunk of the palm is used as building material in almost all countries in the Tropics and is popularly called ‘porcupine wood‘. The mature leaves are plaited and used in thatching and basketry.
• In terms of geographical distribution coconut ranks first among the oil yielding crops as it is grown in as many as 76 developing countries. Interestingly, India‘s State ‘Kerala‘ literally means the land of coconuts. In this State with an area of 38,864 sq. km. and a population density of 549 persons per sq.km., a large percentage of the population is dependent on coconut for their livelihood. Currently the country produces 5361 million nuts annually from 1.1 million hectares of coconut plantations. Coconut contributes 1 per cent of the GNP and 2 per cent of the total agricultural income of India which ranks third in the world production of coconut.
• India was the first country to take up systematic research on coconut. Research work was started at Kasaragod and Nileshwar stations of the then Madras Presidency (now in Kerala State) in 1916. The Nileshwar station is now part of the Kerala Agricultural University. The Kasaragod station is the headquarters of the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research since 1970. These centres are still among the leading coconut research centres of the world. Evolution of high and early bearing hybrids, development of coconut-based products management practices and cropping system and control of pests and diseases are notable achievements of research during the last six decades. The root wilt of coconut is a serious problem which is yet to be remedied and concerted efforts are under way to tackle this problem.
• This year marked the Diamond Jubilee of research on coconut. As part of the celebrations, an International Symposium on coconut was also organised at Kasaragod.

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Issued by Japan

Issued on Sep 17, 1975

Issued for : To celebrate the centenary of the cultivation of apples a 20 yen postage stamp will be issued depicting an apple.

Colour : Multicolour

Type : Stamp, Postal Used

Denomination : 20 Yen

Stamp Size : 27 mm x 22.5 mm

Quantity Issued : 40,000,000

Printing Process : Photogravure

About : 

• The apple (foreign apple), representative fruit of our country, was cultivated for the first time in 1875 when the Japanese government distributed all over the country the saplings of the apple trees to be grown on trial. The then Government intended to promote the cultivation of the foreign fruit for the purpose to increase industry and production. Since then 100 years have passed. Now with the land area under cultivation being 60,000 hectares throughout the country a little less than 1,000,000 tons of apples are produced. Of this quantity more than 10% is processed into juice, jam and so forth.

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