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Press release…
FAO Türkiye showcases innovative South–South Cooperation and agroecological heritage at first FAO Global Exhibition: “From Seeds to Foods”
6 November 2025,Ankara –On 10–13 October, FAO-Türkiye proudly participated in the First FAO Global Exhibition: From Seeds to Foods, held in Park of Porta Capena, Rome, Italy. The exhibition brought together Member Countries, partners and exhibitors from around the world to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of FAO. Türkiye was represented through two flagship initiatives that reflect its commitment to sustainable agriculture and international cooperation, demonstrating how innovation, partnership, and traditional knowledge can build resilient agrifood systems.
Empowering dryland farmers in Nigeria through South–South Cooperation
On 11 October, the Talks Section of the Global Exhibition featured a discussion focusing on a flagship initiative supported by Türkiye through the FAO-Türkiye Partnership Programmes (FTPP). Entitled “Türkiye-Nigeria South-South Cooperation: Diversification and Sustainable Crop Production Intensification for Smallholder Farmers in the Drylands of Borno State”, the talk explored on outcomes of a joint venture by Türkiye and Nigeria to promote crop diversification and sustainability in Borno State’s drylands through technical collaboration and shared experience.
The talk was moderated by Michela Baratelli,Programme Officer and Communications Coordinator of the FAO South-South and Triangular Cooperation (PST) Division and opened by Anping Ye, Director of the PST Division, FAO Headquarters. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture of Nigeria, explained that the partnership with Türkiye represents a transformative model for Africa, demonstrating that solidarity and technical cooperation can yield real benefits for smallholder farmers.
Mehmet Yener, Deputy Director General for EU and Foreign Relations at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Türkiye emphasized that this cooperation reflects the Ministry’s strong commitment to global solidarity and shared progress, noting that Türkiye is prepared to support developing countries through the exchange of technology, experience and improved seeds. “Even with limited resources, this partnership achieved tangible results, showing that small budgets can lead to big impacts when guided by commitment and a spirit of cooperation”, he said.
Fazıl Düşünceli, FAO Agricultural Officer from the Plant Production and Protection Division, concurred noting that the project represents “a real example of international teamwork”, with Türkiye and Nigeria learning from each other in the field and building a model of South-South cooperation in dryland agriculture. He added that the seed varieties used in the project were the results of long-term breeding and research conducted by the Field Crops Central Research Institute (FCCRI) in Ankara represented at the exhibition by its Director Hümeyra Yaman, reflecting Türkiye’s notable scientific capacity and contribution to global agricultural advancement.
Veysel Dönderalp, FAO Project Coordinator at FAO Türkiye, reflected on the project’s achievements with emotion and pride. “New crops brought new hope”, he said. “For the first time, farmers in Borno cultivated chickpea, lentil, black cumin, coriander and fenugreek, which adapted perfectly to the regional climate. They enriched local diets and also opened up new market opportunities, showcasing how resilient seeds can bring better food and a better life.”
Zanna Abba Kura from the Mohammet Lawan College of Agriculture in Maiduguri, who implemented the project with farmers in Borno State, Nigeria, shared his firsthand experiences, describing how the newly introduced crops and improved practices enhanced food diversity, soil health and farmers’ incomes. “What we have built”, he said, “is not just a project, but a partnership rooted in friendship, trust and shared learning between Türkiye and Nigeria”. Finally, Anping Ye commended the initiative as “a strong symbol of South-South solidarity”, noting that the project united two nations under a shared mission of agricultural resilience…
