Geographical Indication to Build up Resilient Rural Economies: A Case Study from Ghana

Abstract

This paper deals with Geographical Indications (GI) as a critical strategy aimed to boost agri-food local supply chain and rural development. The main concern of this work, therefore, is to verify how the identification of these products and establishment of GI systems can propel sustainable development in local areas in Africa. Two assumptions are at the basis of our paper: viable GI systems can be established in Africa, and the establishment of a GI system can stimulate rural development. In order to clarify the process of GI setting up and valorization, we will test GI virtuous circle and the rural web, with the purpose of exploring the multiple dimensions (endogeneity, social capital, sustainability, novelty, institutional arrangements, governance of markets) interfering in the process at both the agri-food supply chain and rural context levels of analysis. The analysis is applied to the shea butter production in Ghana and will employ primary data. Questionnaires and interviews were administered in the study area (Yendi Municipality of Ghana) to gather both qualitative and quantitative data. Our analysis confirms the potentialities of the shea butter as GI, by underlying its engine for the development of local rural communities.

One step further: application of metabolomics techniques on the geographical indication (GI) registration process

“…Cooperation and commitment are reminded as the primary prerequisites for consensus-building among producers, as reported by most of the interviewees (AM, BC1, BC2, BC3 and FAA1). In addition, an important issue that must be considered before starting the process is the consistency of the collective body (Vecchio et al. , 2020).…”

Societal Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Asian Rural Societies: A Multi-Sectoral Social Capital Approach in Thailand, Taiwan, and Japan

“…For instance, together with two public sector institutions, the Biodiversity-Based Economy Development Organization (BEDO) and the Sakon Nakhon Chamber of Commerce, Inpaeng successfully applied for geographical indication (GI) of the Mao berry in 2016. This form of area-based intellectual property right extends to all producers in the Sakon Nakhon province, thereby protecting them from competition from outside the province (see [38]).…”

Revisiting the Geograpidcal Indication Regime in Bangladesh: Trips Compatibility and Prospective Challenges

“…A Geographical Indication is a form of collective intellectual property that represents a product having an exclusive geographical origin and bears quality, repute or distinctive features which are materially attributable to its origin. It is a signifier to assist consumers in identifying genuine products and making rational picks about price, quality, and credibility (Vecchio, 2020). Typically, GIs are signs to denote a narration of quality and uniqueness, which is a principal characteristic of its origin in a distinct geographical locality, area or country (Aggarwal et al, 2014).…”

“…There is no doubt that the developing and least developed countries (LDCs) are potentially rich in the agricultural sector, indigenous handcrafts and traditional knowledge (Vittori, 2010). Therefore, GIs can be significantly utilized as an effective public policy tool for sustainable economic enhancement, more particularly towards a rural development scheme (Vecchio, 2020). It can also be used to metamorphose producers or artisans of generic products from the developing countries and LDCs into successful exporters and established lucrative businesses which have a terrific potential in terms of profit distribution (Airriess, 2019).…”