Jump to content

Ramnagar Bhanta (Brinjal)

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ramnagar Bhanta (Brinjal)
Geographical indication
DescriptionRamnagar Bhanta (Brinjal) is a brinjal variety cultivated in Uttar Pradesh
TypeBrinjal
AreaRamnagar, Varanasi district with other districts of Mirzapur, Chandauli and Sonehadra
CountryIndia
Registered31 March 2023
Official websiteipindia.gov.in

Ramnagar Bhanta (Brinjal) is a variety of brinjal grown in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.[1] It is a common and widely cultivated crop in areas like Ramnagar in Varanasi district along with the entire district and other districts of Mirzapur, Chandauli and Sonehadra.[2]

Under its Geographical Indication tag, it is referred to as "Ramnagar Bhanta (Brinjal)".

Name

[edit]

Ramnagar Bhanta (Brinjal) is a prized vegetable crop in Ramnagar and so named after it.[3][4] The word "Bhanta" means brinjal and also referred to names like Baigan and Bhanta or Bhata in the local state language of Hindi.[5]

Description

[edit]

The Ramnagar Bhanta is a unique variety of brinjal (eggplant) grown in the Varanasi region. It is highly sought after for its exclusive Chokha (Bharta) preparation. The fruit is a pendent, fleshy berry, borne singly or in clusters, with varying shapes (ovoid, oblong, obovoid, or long cylindrical) and colors (purple, purple-black, yellowish, white, green, and variegated). One of the unique features of Ramnagar Bhanta is its ability to increase in size significantly during foggy winter weather, growing up to 2 kgs or more.[2] Notable varieties of Ramnagar Bhanta include the Ramnagar Giant and KS-233.[6][7] Both of these varieties have shown resistance to Phomopsis blight and moderate resistance to fruit rot.[8][9][10]

The Ramnagar Bhanta is a warm and winter season crop, which can grow up to 2-2.5 kg or more in a single piece.[11] It is grown in the Gangetic Plain area of Varanasi and nearby districts (Mirzapur, Chandauli, and Sonebhadra). The special characteristics of soil and water in the region support its growth. Local farmers have preserved this landrace and proudly grow it with quality. They use traditional methods for seed selection, choosing yellow-colored brinjals for seed purposes. The Ramnagar Bhanta is rich in vitamins, minerals, and has high nutritive value.

The Lota Bhanta Mela, a traditional fair, is held on the outskirts of Varanasi in Rameshwaram teerth, Harhua, near the Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport. The origins of the Lota Bhanta Mela date back several centuries to its founder, Lotum Bhatt. Over time, the name evolved into "Lota-Bhanta." This transformation is mirrored in the symbolic ceremonial rituals that have developed around the fair. Devotees offer brinjals and clay pots to the presiding deity, while many others roast brinjals over an open flame, pairing them with rotis cooked on-site.[12] The fair attracts pilgrims from surrounding villages who gather to enjoy a simple meal of roti and roasted brinjal (bhanta).[13] Interestingly, the name "Lota Bhanta" is also linked to the traditional cooking method, where brinjals are cooked in earthen pots (lota) over a cowdung fire. The term "lota" refers to an earthen pot or pitcher, and "bhanta" means brinjal.[5] The Ramnagar Bhanta holds significant cultural value, being a staple dish during the famous Ramnagar Ramlila, where thousands gather to watch the performance. Bati-Chokha, made with Ramnagar Bhanta, is a traditional and favorite dish in the region.

Geographical indication

[edit]

It was awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) status tag from the Geographical Indications Registry, under the Union Government of India, on 31 March 2023 and is valid until 3 November 2030.[14]

Kashi Vishwanath Farmer Producer Company from Varanasi, proposed the GI registration of Ramnagar Bhanta (Brinjal).[2] After filing the application in November 2020, the Brinjal was granted the GI tag in 2023 by the Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai, making the name "Ramnagar Bhanta (Brinjal)" exclusive to the Brinjal grown in the region. It thus became the first brinjal variety from Uttar Pradesh and the 45th type of goods from Uttar Pradesh to earn the GI tag.[15]

The GI tag protects the brinjal from illegal selling and marketing, and gives it legal protection and a unique identity.[16]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Banarasi Paan and 4 other products get GI tag". Zee Business. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Adamchini rice, huge RamnangarBhanta next on export promotion". The Times of India. 18 December 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  3. ^ "Three agri products from Varanasi likely to get GI tag soon". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  4. ^ "PM promoting Varanasi GI products augurs well for the region: Expert". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  5. ^ a b Cultural News from India. Indian Council for Cultural Relations. 1981. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  6. ^ Reddy, P. P. (1 June 2010). Fungal Diseases And Their Management In Horticultural Crops. Scientific Publishers. ISBN 978-93-86347-61-9. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  7. ^ "Management of Fruit Rot of Brinjal Caused by Phomopsis vexans through Fungicides, Plant Extract and Host Plant Resistance" (PDF). International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences (IJCMAS). Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  8. ^ Gupta, Satish K.; Thind, T. S. (1 April 2018). Disease Problems in Vegetable Production, 2nd Ed. Scientific Publishers. ISBN 978-93-87991-99-6. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  9. ^ Agriculture and Animal Husbandry. 1951. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  10. ^ Karuppaiah, G. Samlind Sujin P. HETEROSIS BREEDING IN BRINJAL FOR YIELD AND FRUIT AND SHOOT BORER TOLERANCE. Archers & Elevators Publishing House. ISBN 978-93-90996-05-6. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  11. ^ "2023 IPR NOTEWORTHY JUDGEMENTS AND DEVELOPMENTS". The IP Press. 7 January 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  12. ^ Sukul, Kuber Nath (1974). Varanasi Down the Ages. Kameshwar Nath Sukul. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  13. ^ Singh, Vertul (30 May 2024). Banaras: A journey into the heart of the city. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. ISBN 978-93-5708-870-1. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  14. ^ "Banarasi Paan and langda mango, among others, receive GI tag". Moneycontrol. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  15. ^ Bajpai, Namita (4 April 2023). "Pride of UP: Banarasi Langda, paan among 10 products to get GI tag". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  16. ^ "Sweet Pride of Varanasi: Banarasi Paan, Langda Aam, Two Other Products Get GI Tag". News18. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
Retrieved from "https://wiki.riteme.site/w/index.php?title=Ramnagar_Bhanta_(Brinjal)&oldid=1266150095"