A construção social da Indicação Geográfica para o mel de aroeira no Norte de Minas Gerais: uma análise sobre atores e processos

Abstract

The process of identifying specific attributes for Aroeira Honey in the Northern Minas Gerais State brought new perspectives for adding value to regional apiarian production from the possibility of recognition of the geographical indication –GI. Therefore, this paper sought to understand the process of obtaining GI from Aroeira Honey in Northern Minas Gerais State as a social construction as a result of an arrangement involving regional and local organizations and institutions articulate at regional and local level. The research method involved bibliographical review, interviews to apiarists, Presidents of associations and representatives of supporting institutions. As secondary data we also used numbers on honey production in the region. We concluded that the possibility of GI registration came to the apiarists in a top to bottom way by institutions like Ezequiel Dias Foundation (FUNED), São Francisco and Parnaíba Valleys Development Company (CODEVASF), Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (SEBRAE) and Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA). These institutions envisioned a possibility of value addition and territorial development. Not even the territorial delimitation of the Aroeira Honey GI is not a result of a social construction by the regional apiarists, but rather the characterization of honey and endorsed by Institutions.