Indicações geográficas como estratégia de desenvolvimento territorial: o caso dos Vales da Uva Goethe

Abstract

Brazil has differentiated products and services that are recognized by consumers due to their unique characteristics, conferred by the environments and territories in which they are found. In this context, it is essential to preserve and protect them through intellectual-property institutes, such as the Geographical Indications, which aim at the legal protection of products from certain geographical areas and which have specific characteristics, attributable to their origin. The present research has a general objective to verify if the geographical indications (GIs) contribute to consolidating relations of management, cooperation, and strengthening of territorial identity with a view to territorial development. To achieve this objective, descriptive research was carried out, with a qualitative approach. The target audience of the research were actors present in the territory delimited by the Geographical Indication of Origin “Vales da Uva Goethe” located in the south of the state of Santa Catarina. Included were grape and wine producers, hotels and restaurants, agents of the municipal and state government, and the PROGOETHE association. Regarding the selection of study participants, the choice was guided by the non-probabilistic sampling criterion. The technique was to analyze the content of the data collected through a questionnaire and interview script. The research identified that the investigated relationships do exist in the analyzed territory. Cooperation occurs in a timely manner and should be further encouraged among all actors. Management presents itself effectively. The formation of identity proved to be in a more fruitful and solid stage because it has several positive elements. The research data showed that the relationships are beneficial for territorial development and that the analyzed relationships help to strengthen the territory, more significantly after granting the registration of GI.