Beekeeping
Beekeeping is an important activity in Oku, both economically and traditionally. Indeed, in a recent survey, it appeared that beekeeping is often a tradition from fathers to children for many generations. It’s an economically viable option as starting costs are very low. Beekeeping is thus an easy source of income that might help community members fight against poverty in rural areas.
Oku’s white honey has been traditionally produced for generations in the highland tropical forest of the Kilum-Ijim in the North West Region of Cameroon. It is a particular Cameroonian product because in this country, honey is commonly dark brown or pale gold (Ingram, 2009b). Oku’s honey texture and color are exceptional in Cameroon and specific to its geographical zone of production. That is why Oku’s white honey has been selected by the African Organization of Intellectual Property (OAPI) for certification as a protected Geographical Indication (GI).
Geographical Indication
The Geographical Indication (GI) is another certification system that protects and promotes products specific to a geographical origin. The Article 22:1 in Annex 1 in the TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects and Intellectual Property Rights) internationally defined the geographical indication in 1994 in Marrakech. A GI is an indication used to identify a product coming froma territory if its quality, reputation or any other product characteristics can be attributed essentially to the geographical origin (Moity-Maïzy, 2006). The GI’s objectives are to protet the specificity of original products, to satisfy customers, to contribute to the economy of poor and rural areas, and to protect biodiversity.
Because of rapid urbanization in the last three decades, urban African populations (West Africa and Central Africa), especially in the capitals, are more and more willing to buy products with identifiable origins (Moity-Maïzy, 2006). The GI certification is thus supposed to offer new national market opportunities instead of imported products.
OAPI
The African Organisation for Intellectual Property (OAPI) was created in 1962 and is in charge of intellectual property questions in the 16 member countries (Moity-Maïzy, 2006). The OAPI has the responsibility of examining, registering, and publishing the Geographical Indications. In 2005, the OAPI created a plan to promote Geographical Indications in order to protect local knowledge and to improve the local products’ competitiveness in and outside of African countries (Bridier, 2009).
The OAPI offers GI certifications for any natural, agricultural, artisanal, or industrial products. Regardless of the product type, all recipients of the GI certification must have three things in common: characteristics and/or qualities specific to a location, a reputation, and a collective and traditional production method.
Pilot Products
In 2010, a support program called the PAMPIG project was started to undertake geographical indication certifications. It is carried out by OAPI and financed by the AFD with technical assistance from the CIRAD. This project focuses on four products in West and Central Africa: Ziama’s coffee in Guinea, Korhogo’s linen in the Ivory Coast, Penja’s pepper in Cameroon, and Oku’s Honey in Cameroon.
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