The iconic Darjeeling Mandarin Orange, renowned for its sweetness and superior quality, has officially been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status, a recognition that highlights its authenticity and unique connection to the hills of Darjeeling and Kalimpong.
The GI recognition, which came into effect on November 24, 2025, marks a major milestone for local farmers and the region’s horticultural heritage. Initially, the proposal for GI registration was initiated in August 2022 by former Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya (UBKV) professor Tulsi Saran Ghimiray, with guidance from Mahuya Hom Choudhary, nodal officer of the Patent Information Centre (PIC) under the West Bengal State Council of Science & Technology (WBSCS&T).
During the process, the applicant was formally shifted from UBKV to the Darjeeling Organic Farmers Producer Organisation (DOFPO), Mirik, in August 2024, ensuring that the recognition directly benefited the grassroots farming community. Following rigorous examinations, hearings, and due diligence by the GI Registry under the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, the Darjeeling Mandarin Orange was published in the GI Journal (Volume 206) on 23 July 2025, completing the mandatory public notice period before the official GI grant.
Manoj Subba, chairman of DOFPO and a Mirik resident with two acres of orange orchards, described the achievement as “a celebration of the hills, the farmers, and the heritage of a fruit that has shaped the identity of Darjeeling and Kalimpong for generations. This is more than just a legal milestone; it revives pride in our local produce.”
Historically, Darjeeling and Kalimpong produced around 15,000 metric tonnes of Mandarin oranges (2016 data). These oranges were highly prized, even in European markets, until disease and pest attacks over the last decade and a half affected cultivation. Experts believe the GI recognition will rejuvenate the sector, strengthen local economies, and preserve the region’s agricultural legacy.
With this, West Bengal now boasts 11 agricultural and horticultural products with GI status, the first being the globally famous Darjeeling Tea, which received two GI tags in 2005.
The GI tag not only ensures that the Darjeeling Mandarin Orange is recognised for its geographic authenticity and quality but also safeguards the interests of farmers by preventing unauthorised use of the name, thereby boosting both local income and the fruit’s global reputation.
