The National Committee for the Promotion and Coordination of Geographical Indications (Conapig), met on May 26 as part of the second ordinary session of its work. On the menu of exchanges, red cocoa. This local product, which arouses the interest of national and international chocolatiers for its antioxidant properties, could be the third Cameroonian product to benefit from the Geographical Indication (GI).
“We have finalised the procedure for implementing this third GI to make viable, ensure its repetitiveness and guarantee it a safe value on the international market,” said Gabriel Mbaïrobé, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Minader), also president of Conapig, in the columns of the government daily Cameroon Tribune. It is followed in this momentum by the Director General of the Intellectual Property Organisation (Oapi), Denis Bouhoussos: “…As for red cocoa, the process is underway”.
As soon as approved, this brick red colouring product will join Oku white honey and Penja white pepper in the Cameroonian product category with an GI. To achieve this, a few details still need to be finalised, including the delimitation of the production area.
According to Oapi, the Far South (part of the Centre, Southwest and East regions) would be ideal for growing red cocoa. What will in fact lead to “the security of this label, will make it possible to derive maximum profits from the profits of producers”, adds the Minader.
With regard to Oku honey and Penja pepper, it should be noted that “a contract was signed and made it possible to acquire labelling and packaging equipment. Actions are being implemented so that Oku honey suffers the same fate, “adds Denis Bohoussou, CEO of Oapi…
Recall that a geographical indication is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and have qualities, notoriety or characters essentially due to this place of origin. This device improves transparency for the consumer on the origin and method of manufacture of products, recognises and highlights local know-how and products.
