English
Geographical Indications (GI) for Sao Tomé e Principe
SAMCERT is pleased to support the work of the PAPAFPA project (Programme d’appui participatif à l’agriculture familiale et à la pêche artisanale) in Sao Tomé e Principe, an island nation in the Gulf of Guinea.
Four export cooperatives supported by the PAPAFPA operating in the cocoa, coffee and spice value chains successfully adopted sustainable certification schemes (Fairtrade and Organic) in recent years. The cooperatives have also developed long-lasting commercial relations with companies that have proved to be more than buyers, but rather commercial partners helping to ensure both stable contracts and stable levels of income and a concerted focus on quality.
SAMCERT’s input is focusing on the perception that ‘Sao Tomé e Principe can only compete with quality – not quantity’. Accordingly, together with various stakeholders efforts are being made to develop Geographical Indications (GI) for coffee, cocoa and white pepper.
The location of the country, comprising two small islands straddling the equator, has had a noteworthy impact on the characteristics of the coffee, cocoa and pepper being produced. These products are inextricably linked to their geographical origin, either the whole country (Sao Tome and Principe for pepper and cocoa) or a specific area within the country (the Monte Café region for coffee). The island’s environment, by virtue of its soil composition, climate and biodiversity, confers unique characteristics to these three products making GIs a logical tool for development.
Indeed, SAMCERT believes that the singular characteristics found in these value chains can be strengthened and valorised through the creation of GIs. The good practices being applied can be enhanced, hence highlighting the quality of the products and helping to position them better in global markets.
For more information, please contact:
Michele Maccari (ICEA): m.maccari@icea.inf
