Institutionalizing Geographical Indications in Southern Countries: Lessons Learned from Basmati and Rooibos

• Published in: World development Vol. 98; pp. 58 - 67
• Main Authors: Biénabe, Estelle, Marie-Vivien, Delphine
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-10-2017; Pergamon Press Inc
• Subjects: Basmati; Comparative analysis; Cultural heritage; Empirical analysis; Geographic information systems; geographical indications; India; Institutionalization; institutions; Intervention; Quality standards; Reputations; Rice; Rooibos; Rule of origin; Satellite navigation systems; South Africa; State intervention; Studies; Tea; Trajectory analysis; South Africa; India; institutions; South Africa; Rooibos; Basmati; geographical indications; India
• ISSN: 0305-750X; 1873-5991
• DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2015.04.004

•We examine State role in geographical indication (GI) as a development tool.•We draw upon Basmati and Rooibos GI institutional trajectories.•GI value as a specific IPR lies beyond quality in heritage-based reputation.•GI social relevance is as a hybrid between a public quality standard and an IPR.•State examination of the link to the origin in which GI is rooted must address both.
Geographical Indications (GIs) are increasingly conceived as a development tool. However there are insufficient empirical and conceptual grounds to fine tune their institutionalization. This paper investigates the need for and the role of State intervention in GIs using comparative analysis of the trajectories of Basmati rice and Rooibos tea, emblematic products respectively from India and South Africa. The social relevance of GIs depends on the State’s conception and examination of the link to the origin embodied in the GI. Institutionalization should consider GI as a hybrid between a public quality standard and a specific IPR to protect a heritage-based reputation.