Sambalpur: The Sambalpur administration has initiated the process to obtain a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for sarsatia, the region’s iconic traditional sweet.
According to sources, the application for GI status has been submitted through the Odisha Rural Marketing Services (ORMAS), with technical assistance from experts at Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT). All necessary documentation, including historical records and the establishment of a producers’ society, has been completed.
Sarsatia, a crispy, mildly sweet delicacy with a unique texture, has been a cherished local favourite for generations. Historical records trace the delicacy back to the 16th century. It is prepared using rice flour, sugar, and crucially, resin extracted from the twigs of the ganjer tree (a plant with traditional medicinal properties that grows around Barapahad hills). The resin imparts a distinctive earthy aroma, subtle sweetness, and purported health benefits, setting sarsatia apart from other Indian sweets.
Sambalpur Collector Siddheshwar Baliram Bondar said that the GI tag will help establish its unique identity at the national level.
This initiative builds on earlier momentum, including support from local stakeholders and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who pushed for recognising sarsatia for both cultural preservation and the local economy in September 2025, while assuring that he would personally monitor the progress from Delhi.
