The story
Parsi and Irani farmers planted chikoo orchards along the Dahanu–Gholvad coast in the early 1900s, and the calcium-rich soil and humid coastal climate gave the fruit its sweet taste. Chikoo from here goes by train and truck to Mumbai, Gujarat and north India, and a local chikoo festival draws visitors. The fruit got a GI tag in 2017.
In numbers
Dahanu Gholvad Chikoo is a registered GI (Application No. 493, Certificate No. 280 dated 09-03-2017); the applicant is Maharashtra Rajya Chikoo Utpadak Sangh.
GI Registry (IP India) – Application No. 493, Dahanu Gholvad Chikoo · 2017
GI tag
- Dahanu Gholvad ChikooApplication no. GI Application No. 493, Certificate No. 280 (09-03-2017)GI Registry (IP India) – Application No. 493, Dahanu Gholvad Chikoo
Ways in for a newcomer
- Chikoo chips, powder and dried slices for year-round sale
- Cold chain and ripening for distant markets
- Agro-tourism and farm stays in the orchards
- Direct sale of GI-tagged chikoo to city buyers
Problems the cluster faces
- Fruit spoils fast after harvest
- Pests (fruit borer) and cyclone damage
- Industrial pollution concerns in the Dahanu area
- Low prices in peak season
Businesses to start here
Multi-Fruit Juice and Squash Unit →Spray-Dried Fruit, Vegetable and Fat Powders →Agro-Tourism Farm →Cold Room (2 × 10 MT) for Fruit and Vegetables →