The Family Farming and the Experiences of Geographical Indications in Southern Brazil

Abstract

In contemporary societies, the markets began to greatly appreciate the offer of differentiated products, taking the importance of developing strategies based on benchmarks of quality and capable of producing goods that can be recognized in various areas of consumption. Among these strategies, highlight the Geographical Indications (GIs), because they constitute a means of recognition, protection and disclosure of the identity of the territory and local specificities. However, only recently they started to use it in Brazil, by the Indication of Origin (IP) and Designation of Origin (DO) procedure. In this sense, the present paper seeks to address the potential for family farming of this strategy of differentiation. To sustain such reflection, it presents a preliminary analytical comparison of the differences and similarities between two experiences of IGs in Brazil, which take place in the state of Rio Grande do Sul: the IP experience in wines and sparkling wines from the Vinhedos Valley, and the IP experience of beef from Pampa Gaúcho in the Southern Campanha. The article concludes with a reflection that speculates on the potential of this strategy of territorial development to involve and benefit most of the farming families in Brazil.