Rural Development through Geographical Indications

About the project

Rural Development through Geographical Indications is a local cooperation initiative to protect the value of Erdemli’s distinctive products and support local production. Together with the Erdemli District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry and the Erdemli Chamber of Commerce and Industry, we work on geographical indications for the district’s agricultural products and traditional foods.

The initiative focuses on the connection between products, their place of origin and local production knowledge. We see the preservation and promotion of this heritage as part of rural development in Erdemli.

Project objectives

• Contribute to the preservation of Erdemli’s distinctive products and traditional production knowledge.
• Build recognition for local products and create value for producers.
• Strengthen cooperation among public institutions, local organisations and producers around geographical indications.

Project activities

The initiative brings together local cooperation efforts concerning different products from Erdemli. Our work on Lamas lemon is part of this broader approach. This product-specific collaboration is presented separately on our Geographical Indication Registration for Lemas Lemon page.

Erdemli sıkması, a traditional local food, is also among the products being considered through geographical indication work. These efforts aim to preserve and promote the area’s culinary heritage.

Erdemli banana is another of the district’s products with a registered geographical indication. Registered on 18 December 2020 by the Erdemli District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry and the Erdemli Chamber of Commerce and Industry, it illustrates the diversity of local products in the district.

NATURELDER’s role

The Mediterranean Natural Life Association takes part in rural development work concerning Erdemli’s products alongside its local partners. As a civil society organisation, we contribute to cooperation between institutions and producers to protect and promote local products.

Who is it for?

The initiative is aimed at producers in Erdemli, local businesses working with traditional products, and people and organisations contributing to the preservation of production heritage.