GI Product Implementation: Efforts to consider ShweBo Paw San rice as GI product

According to the Myanmar’s ShweBo Paw San Farming, Milling and Trading Association, plans are underway to consider ShweBo Paw San rice, the product of Sagaing Region, as Myanmar’s first geographical indication (GI) product and about 70% of the plans have been completed currently.

If ShweBo Paw San can be designated as a GI product of Myanmar, it will be beneficial for consumers as well as for local rice manufacturers and sellers and also can have prospects to expand to the foreign market, according to officials from Myanmar’s ShweBo Paw San Farming, Milling and Trading Association.

Chairman, ShweBo Paw San F, M & T Association, Kyaw Thu Thaung Sein said "Efforts are being made to designate ShweBo Paw San rice as a GI product. At present, the efforts being carried out with the support of the government as its project and about 70% of works have been completed."

This is the very first step for the rice industry to designate ShweBo Paw San rice as geographical indication product. As ShweBo Township has good water resources, soil condition, cultivation technique and climate situation, ShweBo Paw San rice is more popular than other Paw San rice among the consumers because of good quality.

To become a GI product, Paw San rice farming needs to be in line with the set system, and the manufacturing in accordance with FDA guidelines to ensure the health of consumers. It is estimated that demand for GI products is on the rise and consumers who pay special attention to health will choose the products with geographical indication later.