ANT CHUTNEY | IAS GYAN

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Mayurbhanj’s superfood ‘ant chutney’ targeting for GI tag.
For the tribes in Mayurbhanj, Odisha, the ‘ant chutney’ offer;
- Remedy for many illnesses.
- Boost the immune system.
- Keep diseases away.
- Rich in proteins, calcium, zinc, vitamin B-12, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, copper, fibre and 18 amino acids.
Red weaver ants’ sting inflicts a strong pain and reddish bumps on the skin. Despite this, they are popular among the tribes of the Mayurbhanj district in Odisha.
Weaver ants, Oecophylla smaragdina, are abundantly found in Mayurbhanj throughout the year.
The dish made of the ant is known as the Kai chutney.
Larval and adult stages of the ants are either eaten raw or turned into ‘chutney’.
- The chutney is prepared by mixing and grinding salt, ginger, garlic and chilly.
- It is also sold by tribal people in rural markets.
Tribals consume Kai chutney or soup to get rid of flu, common cold, whooping cough, to increase appetite and enhance eyesight naturally without corrective eyewear and to treat joint pain and stomach diseases, and the development of a healthy brain and nervous system.
The Kai family consists of three category members; workers, major workers and queens.
- Workers and major workers are mostly orange-coloured.
- They feed on small insects, beetles, flies and hymenopterans.
Under the food category, Scientists are in the process to apply for the Geographical Indications (GI) registry of Kai chutney.

About Geographical Indications (GI)

Geographical Indications (GIs) products include agricultural, natural, manufactured goods, foodstuff and handicrafts.
GIs are the products that are originated or manufactured in a specific territory, region, or locality.
There are currently 390 GIs registered products in India.
To function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place. EX- Darjeeling tea.
India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 which came into force with effect in September 2003.
In 2004, Darjeeling Tea was the first Indian product to get the geographical indication tag.
India has approximately 400 registered geographical indications.
Geographical Indication tags in India are valid for 10 years following which they can be renewed.
The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry launched the logo and tagline for the Geographical Indications (GI) of India.

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