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UNCTAD promotes traditional food products

Representatives of rural communities in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) addressed the challenges they face in promoting and marketing traditional products, during the two-day workshop at the Terra Madre fair in Turin, Italy.

They also discussed how the international community can help develop mechanisms to promote traditional products from LDCs.

The focus was on geographical indication laws and branding techniques linked to the concept of 'made in'. UNCTAD moderated the event, which was organised with the Slow Food organisation.

During the two-day workshop held recently,

Participants shared their experiences and expressed views on how geographical indication laws, which certify a product as coming from a certain area, can support local farmers and benefit society.

The results and conclusions of the workshop were shared with the broader audience of the Terra Madre fair.

Director General for International Trade Policy in the Italian Ministry of Economic Development, Amedeo Tetisaid said that while "trademarks belong to just one company, geographical indications belong to the population of rural communities".

"Awareness of the product creates an incentive for customers in an importing country to pay higher prices for the products of rural communities of specific regions, thus contributing to the society's overall well-being," he said.

Stefano Inama of the UNCTAD Division for Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Programs, emphasised the role of LDC Governments and stakeholders in promoting traditional products alongside commercial farming.

He highlighted two basic conditions needed for traditional products to be successful in the international market: using geographical indications to promote the idea of quality and compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary regulations.

He also emphasised the need to enforce geographical indication laws.

"Having the law is only one step. Implementation is the key," Inama said.

Promoting traditional food products from small-scale producers in LDCs involves recognising the value of a unique product of excellent quality while at the same time supporting the culture and identity of local communities.

Small household farmers are essential for world food security, but competing with food giants is a lose-lose game, "unless the local food is converted into a success story though geographical indications" said Paolo Di Croce, the Secretary-General of Slow Food.

During Terra Madre fair, held at the Salone Internazionale del Gusto recently, the workshop participants had the opportunity to meet other rural communities from around the world, and share experiences on the promotion of traditional products. The next UNCTAD event for rural communities of the LDCs will be held next month in Geneva.

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