Bharit Brinjal from Jalgaon has been accorded the Geographical Indication tag during 2016 to the institution ‘Navnirmiti Shetkari mandal’ of Jalgaon, Maharashtra. The traditional Jalgaon Bharit brinjal variety is preserved and maintained by the farmers for more than five centuries. Geographical spread Jalgaon is known as city of Brinjal. Jalgaon received special recognition because of this vegetable. Light Green color brinjals from Jalgaon are famous for bharit (mashed brinjal). Jalgaon is located within the productive irrigated, agricultural region of Khandesh in Maharashtra. The climate of Jalgaon district is prominently responsible for the higher yield and better quality of Jalgaon bharit brinjal variety. Presence of rich medium black fertile soil in Khandesh makes brinjal cultivation more favourable. Yaval and Bhusaval talukas in Jalgaon district are very famous for the brinjals that are specifically used for preparing bharit and hence they are locally known as "Bharit vanga". Historical importance The historical evidences of the spicy 'Khandeshi bharit' were found in the Marathi literature by the famous poet Shri. Narayan Vyas Bahaliye of 'Mahanubhav Community' in the 15th century. It is stated that the traditional Jalgaon Bharit Brinjal variety is preserved since 15th century. The reference of Jalgaon brinjal can also be found in tribal folk songs of Jalgaon district. The Leva Patil community in Jalgaon have the tradition of serving Brinjal dish which has led farmers to plant this type of brinjal in huge quantity. Unique Features The golden-brown color and tempting taste after roasting the brinjals make this variety popular among people. Jalgaon Brinjal is specifically used for making traditional spicy dish 'Khandeshi bharit'. 'Khandeshi bharit' made from Jalgaon Brinjal is gaining attention now a days globally. Bharit Brinjal cultivated in Jalgaon district is long, oval and slender shaped. Colour of Jalgaon Brinjal is pale green with white stripes. Jalgaon Brinjal is large in size as with soft skin and has less number of thorns. The weight of brinjal is approximately 500g to 2500g. More specifically brinjals from Bamnod village in Yaval Taluka of Jalgaon has a characteristic large size Brinjals produced in Jalgaon district secrete more amount of oil on roasting which gives very distinct taste to Bharit i.e. mashed brinjal. The Jalgaon Brinjal has less number of seeds inside the brinjal pulp. Shape of Bharit Brinjal of Jalgaon is four times larger than regular brinjal. Method of production Brinjal plant is perennial. Presently commercial cultivation of brinjal, especially green bharit brinjal with white stripes has been started from many years. The time of sowing of seed and transplanting of seedlings varies according to the agro-climatic regions. Brinjal cultivation is done in April, July and September. Planting season for bharit brinjal in Jalgaon is from November to January. Before planting the field is ploughed 4 times. Brinjal seeds are sown in rows 5 cm apart in the nursery beds which are 6-12 mm raised. The nursery beds are covered with plastic or straw mulch till the germination of seeds. Seedlings of 4-6 weeks old are transplanted in a well prepared field of which surface soil is mixed thoroughly with farm yard manure and small quantity of super phosphate. Before planting, beds are watered using drip system for 8-12 hrs. The planting distance depends on soil fertility, season and variety. Usually for bushy non spreading type spacing should be 50 cms from row to row and 60 cms from plant to plant. For spreading variety row to row spacing should be 75 cm to 90 cm and plant to plant should be 60-70 cm. Gap filling is done at the 7th day after transplantation. Inflorescence appears after 4-5 weeks of planting. Timely irrigation is mandatory for high yield of brinjal. Further harvesting is carried out just before maturity. Brinjals are ready for harvesting after 3.5 to 4 months. Brinjals should be severed from the plant by cutting with small shears of knife. Fruits are allowed to gain good size and color till they remain bright, glossy in appearance. Grading of fruit is done according to the size of the fruit. Pest affected and damaged fruits are separated. The matured good quality brinjals are then packed and sent for marketing. Average yield comes to 250-300 quintal/ha. Source : GI Journal - Jalgaon Bharit Brinjal Related resources GI tags of India GI tags of Maharashtra - agro products