• Gulbarga Tur Dal is a variety of pigeon pea (red gram) cultivated in Karnataka.
• Under GI, it is officially known as “Gulbarga Tur Dal.”
• Kannada name: Kalaburagi Togari Bele
  • Togari = Pigeon pea
  • Bele = Lentil
• Local names include:
  • Gulyal
  • Chaple
  • Bennur Local

Major Growing Areas

• Mainly grown in Kalaburagi and Yadgir districts.
• Important talukas include:
  • Aland
  • Chincholi
  • Kalaburagi
  • Afzalpur
  • Chittapur
  • Sedam
  • Jewargi
  • Shorapur
  • Shahpur
  • Yadgir
• Both districts belong to Kalaburagi Division.
• Kalaburagi accounts for about 60% of Karnataka’s total Tur Dal production.
• Karnataka is described in the source as the largest Tur Dal producer in India.
• Kalaburagi has about 3.7 lakh ha under red gram, nearly 41% of Karnataka’s 9 lakh ha.

Special Characteristics

• Distinct taste and aroma.
• Shorter cooking time.
• Longer shelf life.
• Good milling quality.
• Physical characteristics:
  • Orange-yellow colour
  • Pleasant aroma after cooking
  • Fine texture when cooked
  • Attractive split dal with clear, unbroken edges
• These qualities are associated with the region’s calcium- and potassium-rich soils.

Soil & Climate

• Climate is generally warm and dry.
• Receives relatively low annual rainfall.
• Black cotton soils are highly fertile and suitable for red gram cultivation.
• Kalaburagi is popularly known as the “Tur Bowl of Karnataka.”

Processing & Trade

• Kalaburagi has around 250 dal mills.
• Individual mills have capacities of about 10–15 tonnes of Tur/day.
• The processed Tur Dal is marketed in other parts of Karnataka and India.

GI Tag

• GI Tag: Granted on 14 August 2019.
• GI application filed: September 2017.
• GI Registry: Chennai.
• GI validity: Up to 25 September 2027.
• Proposed by:
  • University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Kalaburagi
  • Karnataka Togari Abhivrudhi Mandali Ltd.
• It became the second pigeon pea variety from India to receive GI status, after Navapur Tur Dal of Maharashtra.
• It was the 49th type of goods from Karnataka to receive a GI tag.
• GI protection helps prevent illegal selling/marketing and provides the product with a unique legal identity.

⭐ Exam Quick Revision

• Gulbarga Tur Dal → Pigeon pea/Red gram
• Main districts → Kalaburagi + Yadgir
• Kannada → Kalaburagi Togari Bele
• Nickname → Tur Bowl of Karnataka
• Kalaburagi share → ~60% of Karnataka’s Tur production
• Area in Kalaburagi → 3.7 lakh ha
• Soil → Black cotton soil
• Special qualities → Taste + aroma + quick cooking + shelf life
• Dal colour → Orange-yellow
• GI Tag → 14 August 2019
• GI validity → 25 September 2027
• GI Application → 2017
• GI Registry → Chennai
• GI Application by → UAS + Karnataka Togari Abhivrudhi Mandali
• GI significance → Legal identity & protection