Representações sociais sobre o processo de certificação da indicação geográfica do queijo de coalho no agreste de Pernambuco

Abstract

The Geographical Indications appear as an alternative of market promotion of products or services and of territorial development, mainly in the social, cultural and environmental dimensions. However, the procurement process demands a cooperative mobilization of the actors involved, aligning their practices and beliefs in the construction of quality, so that their benefits can be achieved. In order to promote the valorization of rennet cheese, several processes have been developed to obtain GI certification. The objective of this work was to identify the social representations of knowledge production institutions, government representatives and producers of artisanal rennet cheese from Agreste of Pernambuco and to analyze how the perceptions of these groups influence the certification process. The study was based on the Theory of Social Representations and the Triple Helix model, using as methods of analysis with qualitative approache through the textual analysis program IRAMUTEQ. The data were collected with thirteen subjects by means of a semistructured script, with questions related to the production of rennet cheese, perceptions about the GI of the Agreste of Pernambuco and the interaction among the local actors. The analysis of the results showed that the production of rennet cheese is an artisanal and familiar activity, having a strong appeal of the tradition and search for the valorization of the product; however, still marked by the informality and lack of quality of the raw material. The actors perceive GI as advantageous for the region and already see the benefits that were obtained in the production process during certification. But, the representativeness of producers associated with Associação de Certificação do Queijo de Coalho do Agreste de Pernambuco (CQP) is small compared to the quantity of cheese producers in the region. In addition, the region has great resistance to work in collective organizations such as associations and cooperatives, a situation that is exacerbated by the difficulty of knowledge production institutions to provide technical assistance and lack of specific and continuous public policies for dairy production. Therefore, it should be noted that all actors, especially producers, need to be strengthened through stronger social organizations, including small producers in the process of GI certification, and thus minimize the risks of exclusion in the region.