VALUING PRODUCTS OF ORIGIN AS A STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT – THE CASE OF CAJUÃNA DO PIAUÃ

Resumo

The valuation of regional products as well as the protection of traditional knowledge linked to these products have been used as strategies to promote the development of territories, especially in rural regions where agribusiness plays a key role for the economies of developing countries like Brazil. The conception of the Geographical Indication (GI) represents a basis of sustainability for territorial, technological, economic and social development. The experience of the GIs granted by the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) allowed to observe several positive impacts for the geographic area of production, since in addition to enhancing the specificities of the delimited territory, allowed the protection and maintenance of local knowledge linked to biodiversity. Thus, this article is based on the discussion about the potential of the GI and the protection of the associated cultural heritage, taking for this study the case of cajuína, a drink recognized as a cultural good strongly linked to the identity of the state of Piauí. The article has a qualitative approach, using bibliographical and documentary research to describe the facts about the theme and its applicability to other territories. It was observed that the valorization and protection mechanisms of cajuína within the territory of Piauí make it possible to add value to the beverage, which is distinguished by the quality guaranteed by the regulatory council. In addition, they enable sustainable territorial development, since local agents are led to rethink their relationship with the environment, becoming aware of the importance of conservation of the territory.