THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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Press release…
18 August 2021, Hatay – A new batch of farming input packages were distributed to 75 Syrian and Turkish Farmer Field Schools (FFS) beneficiaries today in the Hatay Yayladağı district. This activity is funded by the European Union under the FAO project “Building Resilience of Syrians under Temporary Protection and Host Communities in Turkey through Supporting Socio-Economic Integration and Creating Livelihood Opportunities”.
Harvesting boxes, garden hoeing machines and gasoline chainsaws were distributed to 75 men and women beneficiaries who previously received training at Farmer Field Schools in 2020. Participants included the Yayladağı District Governor, the Hatay Director of the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, and the District Director.
In her opening remarks, Assistant FAO Representative in Turkey, Ayşegül Selışık, highlighted the importance of the Farmer Field School approach: “FFS help participants apply and experiment with new sustainable production methods and technologies and help farmers gain skills that sharpen their ability to make critical and informed decisions as groups and communities.” She also thanked the professors from the University of Ankara that have supported FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for delivering the FFS training to 750 men and women in ten different provinces.
Ergün Çolakoğlu, Hatay Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry, stressed the importance of the project for Hatay’s farmers. “FFS has introduced new agricultural technologies of great value to both Syrian and Turkish farmers. The arrival of these welcome tools will give the beneficiaries an opportunity to put into action all the training they received over the last three months.”
Prior to the distribution of the input packages, FAO trained 750 farmers in ten provinces through Farmer Field Schools to increase sustainable agricultural production. This training programme is designed to provide employment opportunities to Syrians under Temporary Protection and host community members in the agrifood sector. Farmers will use the tools to apply and experiment with new agricultural methods alongside their community peers.
