Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji (RS)
Panaji, Aug 30: The state liquor industry has moved an application seeking patent for the local brew 'feni' with application pending with the Chennai-based union government recognized registering authority.
“We are in touch with GI registering authority in Chennai and state government has assigned the science and technology department to be the formal applicant on behalf of the feni industry of Goa,’’ Mac Vaz, president of All-Goa Feni Bottlers and Distillers Association (AGFBDA), stated.
On behalf of WTO, Indian government has empowered Chennai-based GI as registering authority for patent, he said.
This industry, which has 4,000-odd small scale industries under its umbrella in tiny state of Goa alone, got the boost when Goa chamber of commerce and industries (GCCI) decided to take up its cause.
Feni, cashew-based liquor, with 42.8 per cent alcohol, is an identity of the state with lot of tourists asking for the brew. We do not want to lose it to someone else and hence we have initiated the process, Vaz stated.
“Goa is unique for two things, feni and communal harmony,’’ he remarked.
“We have forwarded the draft proposal to Chennai while other related documents are pending with the state science and technology department,’’ he said.
The feni industry has said that the brew be reclassified as Indian made Goan liquor, which is now classified as a country liquor. “People are averse to go for country liquor fearing adulteration. Feni is not adulterated in any form,’’ Vaz said.
The AGFBDA is also against removing the smell from the brew. “People say that it smells a lot. But there is no fun in drinking feni without its smell,’’ feni industry experts say.
Priced at Rs 850 per bottle of limited edition and average pricing of Rs 50 per bottle of 750 ml, the liquor has changed its image from poor man’s liquor to “exotic spirit.’’
“It is unfortunate that we realize importance of our products only after western market realizes it,’’ Vaz commented stressing that the state government should double up its efforts to get patent for this most loved brew.