Vijayapura: Indi lemon, with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag and which was introduced in Dubai earlier, has now been sent to Australia to gauge consumer response Down Under. Soon, more countries may start importing this juicy variety from Karnataka.The Lime Development Board, headquartered in Indi, is also planning Indi Lemon tea points across India to boost grower incomes. H S Patil, the managing director of Karnataka State Lemon Development Board (KSLDB), Indi, Vijayapura, told TOI the first-ever shipment of three tonnes of GI-tagged Indi lemon from Vijayapura was exported to the UAE on Aug 24. “It was the debut foreign consignment of Indi lemon. Now we have sent a sample consignment to Australia and are waiting for response,” he said. Ashok Allapur, the former chairman of KSLDB, said Indi lemon, belonging to the ‘kagzi’ variety, is grown on 18,000-22,000 hectares of land in Indi, Sindagi, and other taluks of Vijayapura districts. “Compared to the quantity grown here, markets of Vijayapura, Hubballi, Goa, Mumbai, and other cities were not sufficient. Hence, farmers didn’t have a big enough market for their produce,” Allapur said. “The GI tag was accorded in June 2023 for eight years. This has enabled farmers to send their produce to about 25 countries, and for a good price,” he commented. “Seeds, coverlet, juice, and lemon powder are used in making detergent cakes and bathing soaps. They are also used in medicines. However, there is a need for a study to add value to the fruit. Vijayapura district is geographically suited for lemons, just like Kashmir is famous for apples,” he further said.Allapur added the coverlet of the ‘kagzi’ variety is like paper, is more juicy and fragrant. Indi MLA Yashavantharayagowda Patil, who reportedly lobbied the govt to set up KSLDB in Vijayapura, said he has instructed the officials concerned to set up Indi lemon tea points across the country. “This tea should become popular on the lines of Assam tea. We have already set a tea point at Mini Vidhana Soudha in Indi. The board will expand such tea points across the country in the coming years,” he added.
