Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh has won Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Kadaknath, an indigenous chicken breed found in tribal-dominated Jhabua district in the state.
The GI registry office at Chennai awarded the GI tag for Kadaknath chicken to MP on Wednesday after dismissing claim of similar recognition to its Kadaknath breed by Chhattisgarh.
Tribals in south Bastar district Dantewada in Chhattisgarh undertake Kadaknath chicken farming in large-scale prompting Chhattisgarh to stake claim for GI tag. However, MP has staked its claim for GI tag for its Kadakanth 12 years ago.
The Kadaknath chicken, popular among non-vegetarians for its exquisite taste and high nutrient value, was notified in the GI Journal No. 104 of March 28, 2018, a spokesman of MP government said here on Thursday.
Soon after the Chennai-based GI registry office awarded Geographical Indication tag for Kadaknath to MP, state animal husbandry minister Viswas Sarang launched an App for marketing of the breed through local societies in tribal areas of Jhabua and Alirajpur districts in the state.
Kadaknath chicken is in demand because of its low cholesterol and high protein content. It commands a price of Rs 500 per kg in the market as compared to around Rs 100 per kg for the normal broiler chicken.
Chhattisgarh government is reportedly mulling to change the name of the breed in the wake of the development to “protect” interest of poor tribals in Bastar engaged in breeding of the species, a senior officer of Chhattisgarh government told this newspaper on Thursday.
Kadaknath, the black chicken, also lays black eggs. Besides, its blood is also black in colour. The breed is also popular abroad due to high iron content.
