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

Yari Vecchio,Felice Adinolfi,Abdul-Latif Iddrisu,Marcello De Rosa

doi:10.3390/su12052052

Yari Vecchio, Felice Adinolfi + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su12052052

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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.

Highlights

This paper deals with the role of Geographical Indications (GIs) in building up processes of endogenous rural development in developing countries
We aimed to evaluate two key elements: if a viable GI system can be established in Ghana and if the establishment of a GI system may boost wider processes of rural development
The GI initiative is not confined to the local production systems, but it seems to involve local institutions too, which demonstrate the purpose of contributing to build up a sound GI system and, to contribute to higher wellbeing by managing the tangible and intangible resources available in the territory [49], (p. 15)

Summary

Introduction

This paper deals with the role of Geographical Indications (GIs) in building up processes of endogenous rural development in developing countries. Our hypothesis is that GIs may act as an engine to boost either resilient localized agri-food systems or wider processes of rural development. The establishment of Geographical Indications systems in Africa is gradually becoming a topical issue in the agri-food literature with reputable institutions, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) taking special interest in it. This development is partly due to the success of the European GI framework.

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