There are many ways to perform agricultural transformation. Let’s look at one of them. Geographical Indications (GIs) are really valuable tools to perform the agricultural transformation and they are protected under the TRIPS agreement (1995).
Therefore, when we were managing Tea Industry Value Chain Development and Building an Innovation Center as an EU Development Project, we have applied and registered such a GI certification.
The EU has placed GIs at the center of its quality policy for food and agriculture products. In Europe, 3,300 GIs represents about 6% production and 15% of exports of food and drinks. In today's complex business world, the consumer eating habits are changing and they look for more healthy, green, safe, and ethical food for nutrition. We have designed and implemented an excellent value chain development and effective supply chain policies and created economical growth for farmers and SMEs when we manage an infant food value chain development project for Turkey and CEEMENACIS countries.
Rize Tea, Champagne, Tequila and Cognac are some best examples.
What are the advantages of GIs? They:
1. Foster sustainable rural territorial development
2. Empower producer groups
3. Protect small producers
4. Enable conservation of biodiversity
5. Reduce income inequalities
6. Enable the capture of price premiums
7. Contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage.
8. Create indirect benefits: increased investment, land values, new potentials for agro-tourism, and greater employment opportunities
9. Assure the quality of products
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