THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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The Antalya Agricultural Council (ATAK), Antalya Commodity Exchange (ATB) and Antalya Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry will jointly organise the ‘Mediterranean Region Goat Workshop’ on 19 September.
The workshop, which will bring together academics, gastronomy experts and veterinarians, will address goats, goat products and the tradition of shepherding, which are an important part of Anatolia’s cultural heritage dating back thousands of years.
The project will discuss the role of goat products in rural development, their importance in the Yörük way of life and the problems faced by shepherds.
Ali Çandır, President of ATB and ATAK, stated that goat breeding is of critical importance for small family businesses and rural employment.
Emphasising that the sustainability of the sector is at risk due to reasons such as migration, pasture problems and lack of social status, Çandır pointed out that goat meat accounts for only 4.7 per cent of Türkiye’s red meat production.
Stating that Türkiye’s meat problem could be solved through goat farming, Çandır said, “Free-range goats offer a great opportunity for organic production with their naturalness and delicious meat with low fat content.”
Şakir Fırat Erkal, Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry, also stated that goats, the native animal of the Taurus Mountains, are an indispensable part of Antalya’s natural life and rural economy…
