Producing Geographical Indication Products from the Farmers' Perspective: Kelkit Dry Beans

A locally sourced, high-quality food supply is seen as both viable and desirable. Geographical indications (GIs) help consumers identify products linked to specific regions, creating intellectual property rights that strengthen rural economies and support sustainable agriculture. Despite this potential, adoption among smallholders remains limited, and its effectiveness depends heavily on farmers’ experiences, perceptions, and motivations. This study examines the production and marketing of GI products from the perspective of farmers, focusing on Kelkit Dry Beans, a geographically indicated product in Türkiye. Primary data were collected in 2021 through face-to-face interviews with 100 dry bean farmers in the Kelkit, Şiran, and Köse districts of Gümüşhane province—50 using GI-registered seeds and 50 not. Findings indicate that farmers adopting GI production expected higher prices based on quality improvements but were unable to achieve these outcomes. Access to alternative markets did not improve, and buyer-related problems persisted. Compared to non-GI farmers, those producing GI beans attached greater importance to factors such as easier marketing, higher expected prices, financial support from unions, and the assurance of long-term demand from contract buyers. Nevertheless, their largely negative experiences - particularly unmet price expectations and limited market access—undermine confidence in GI production and discourage wider adoption. In conclusion, while GIs offer opportunities for rural development, competitiveness, and sustainability, their broader adoption requires addressing farmers’ concerns regarding profitability, reliable markets, and institutional support. Without such improvements, the potential benefits of GIs are unlikely to be fully realized.