Potencialidade de indicação geográfica do licuri do semiárido baiano: identidade regional e contexto socioeconômico

Abstract

The Geographical Indication, within the Intellectual Property Branch, stands out as a resource that highlights the territories, when considering their edaphoclimatic characteristics or notoriety. In this sense, the objective of this work is to verify the feasibility of implementing the Geographical Indication of licuri from the Bahian Semiarid, from the perspective of regional identity and socioeconomic context. For this purpose, the methodology used a qualitative approach, with an exploratory nature. The investigation technique employed was the case study, in addition to using the techniques of bibliographic and documentary research. Semi-structured interviews were used, using non-probabilistic sampling, weighting those who have the most knowledge of the licuri production chain. Based on the geographical delimitation of the Semi-arid region of Bahia and the information obtained in the data collection phase in five important entities in the licuri chain: two cooperatives; a processing company, a government agency that develops public policies for the licuri production chain and a Private Entity of Public Interest that supports the implementation of Geographical Indication processes. The Origin-linked Quality Virtuous Circle of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations was used as a tool for identifying and analyzing obstacles and proposing strategies for the implementation of Geographical Indication. It was found that throughout the semi-arid region of Bahia this culture is present and that there are wellorganized and articulated cooperatives, capable of intensifying a positive engagement in the strengthening of the production chain and in the viability of the licuri GI. The sense of belonging of the communities was observed, with emphasis on the extractivists women of the Region. The socioeconomic importance, culture and know-how establish the link with the Semiarid Region. It was found that actions are needed to remedy the weaknesses that threaten the economic, socio-cultural and environmental sustainability of the production chain, among which the differences over which product stands out in the licuri production chain stand out; inexistence of standardization as to the procedures to carry out the quality control of the products; lack of laboratories to monitor microbiological and physical-chemical parameters; threat of extinction caused by cattle farming and little action by municipal governments. It was concluded that there is market, historical and notoriety evidence that proves that the Bahian Semi-Arid is recognized as a producer and extractor of licuri. Thus, when there is a resolution of the weaknesses pointed out, the most viable form of protection and appreciation will be the Indication of Origin, given the presence of the confirmed notoriety requirement