Social Dynamics of Geographical Indications: Community Empowerment and Collective Identity

Abstract

Geographically indicated products (GIs) are those that are specific to a given geographic environment and have a unique traditional knowledge that sets them apart from products that look similar. Both the producer and the consumer benefit from certification, as it increases the producer's ability to command a higher price for quality assurance.Because of its distinctiveness, GI promotes resource conservation in the affected community, which aids in the development of rural sustainable communities. From the perspective of the consumer, the protection of GIs gives assurance and specific information. GIs highlight significant features that may not be immediately apparent or evident from merely looking at the products. For instance, consumers may find it difficult to discern qualities that are merely visually appealing. This paper examines the relevance of geographical indications for the economy of a geographical area and then moves on to analyze the impact and correlation of GI and social identity and empowerment.