This activity involved extensive all day training strategically done according to RADA regional lines, and were conducted across Jamaica in a series of eight (8) workshops, and included all fourteen (14) parishes. The sessions were held in small groups involving farmers and Extension Officers, parish Managers and Production Marketing Organization Officer’s.
The sessions were conducted by both the Manager of the Trade Marks and GI Directorate and the GI Local Expert. The format of the presentation was the former laying the foundation for a discussion on GI’s by introducing the participants to the concept of IP in general and then familiarizing the group with those areas of IP that dealt with the identification of goods and services (i.e. trade marks, certification marks and GIs.) The participants were then introduced to the concept of the GI as a further means of protecting unique Jamaican products and agricultural produce.
The second presentation by the GILE went into further detail about the economic benefits of GIs briefly referring to different case studies and examples of GI infringement around the world. The presentation ended by highlighting the role of the key players in the industry and in particular RADA’s thrust to organize farmers into goal oriented, viable Producer Marketing Organizations.
Each session of approximately 25-30 persons ended with a group activity in which the participants were asked to examine two case studies. Subsequently a member of each group was asked to consolidate all the answers from their respective group and present the findings.
Most persons expressed on their evaluation forms that they found the sessions to be not only personally interesting but necessary to the work of RADA, the training of farmers and for Jamaica on a whole.
PICTORIAL HIGLIGHTS
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