Geographical Indication-The Factors of Rural Development and Strengthening Economy

Abstract

Protection of GIs provides certain information and offers a guarantee to the consumers from a consumer’s point of view. GIs signals important characteristics that may not be obvious or evident by simply inspecting the products, example- consumers cannot easily determine the qualities apparently, merely which is appealing to eyes. Geographical Indications need to be inferred with wider horizon and stretching its grip to cover the product or process which are attributable to the geography, climatic conditions, locality of the origin which may bring value to a region not only in terms of jobs and higher income, but also for promoting the region as a whole. Research contribution will certainly contribute as eye opener for creation of a regional brand. There are also grey areas which need to be exploited and brought in the definition of GI and read the TRIPS agreement for the interest of the producers and economical status. These benefits range from having new socio-cultural values for traditional and indigenous assets to the more straightforward economic gains resulting from increased employment, higher incomes and improved market access. The inclusion of human factors as well is essential to ensure that the GIs of various handicraft products, example- ‘Kanchivaram Silk’ and ‘Muga Silk’ sarees are the product of skilled labour from Tamil Nadu and Assam respectively. The expansion of even to those factors which are nonetheless attributable to the agro products and process in wider perspective.