Research On The Life Cycle Value Protection System Of Geographical Indications Of Agricultural Products In China

Agricultural geographical indications (GIs) are of great economic valueconsisting of natural resources and cultural heritage of specific regions. Currently,China’s agricultural GIs contribute to less than2.5%of the total agricultural outputvalue, indicating huge potential for growth. In2013, the Central Government of Chinain its No.1Policy Document clearly highlighted the strategy of strengthening theprotection of agricultural GIs and trademarks to empower agriculture. According toPeter Drucker,‘management is practice’.‘Its essence is not knowing but doing. Itstest is not logic but results. Its only authority is performance’ It is critical for Chineseagricultural development, and in particular addressing the ‘three rural issues’, toeffectively enhance the value of agricultural GIs and the international competitivenessof Chinese agricultural products.Based on a critical literature review and the analysis on the current developmentof China’s agricultural GIs, this thesis has identified the key factors that affect thepreservation and appreciation of agricultural GIs in China using surveys and statisticalanalysis. It has developed a ‘Four Dimensions’ framework to protect the lifetimevalue of agricultural GIs including legal protection, organisational mechanisms,quality control, and value realisation. The thesis first addresses the issues ofapplication, registration and protection of GIs in China. It has developed a legalsystem to protect agricultural GIs with a particular focus on key elements andoperation mechanisms for coordination of GIs. The thesis then provides a comparativeanalysis on the three types of organisational patterns of agricultural GIs in China,namely leading enterprise oriented, local government oriented, and sectoralassociation oriented. It has concluded that intermediary organisations such ascooperatives, family farms, and sectoral associations play a critical role in qualitycontrol and coordination of the supply chain. Using the optimal control theory, a clubquality reputation model is then developed for the purpose of quality control, whichsets up minimum quality standards for agricultural GIs. The game analysis ofcooperation on quality control between producers reveals that cost reduction inquality control is a key drive to motivate producers to comply with quality standards.Based on such analysis, the thesis has developed a quality control system whichincludes multi-level quality monitoring and whole process quality tracing. Thethesis has also addressed the issue of value realisation of agricultural GIs, particularly case studies in marketing and branding strategies. The thesis finally makes policyrecommendations on the implementation of the lifetime value protection system foragricultural GIs.