The contribution of geographi̇cal indications to the promotion of local products and economic development: Research ofAnkara province Kalecik district

Geographical indication is a quality mark that indicates and guarantees the origin of the product. With the registration of GIs, the products that have certain local characteristics originated from the region are protected. Turkey has 1505 registered GIs as of December 2023. Kalecik Karası Üzümü, Kalecik Ekmeği and Kalecik Çöreği are registered GIs of the district. The GI application has been made for Kalecik Ayvası. In this study, the effects of the GIs and local products of Kalecik district on local economic development and current and potential contribution of GI to the promotion of local products have been examined. For this purpose; farmers, producers, companies and other related stakeholders were interviewed. The primary data of the study consists of the data obtained through the surveys. As a result of the interviews, it is seen that the primary income source of the producers is not the local product they are related to. The knowledge and awareness level of GI of the producers is low. Emblem usage is not common. GIs are mostly considered as a tool which can contribute to the promotion of the product and the region. They are not considered to provide a direct benefit to the producer's income. The producer organization in the district is weak. In Kalecik Karası Üzümü example, the lack of an organized structure has caused wine producing companies to set prices and to decrease the grapes prices over the years. GIs do not have a positive effect on producer organization activities and do not contribute to the communication between producers and other actors in the region.