THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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Press release…
There is a goodness in this harvest…
This harvest includes both waste prevention and sharing…
In the “Volunteer Final Harvest Project”, which aims to reduce loss and waste up to 50 percent in the fresh fruit and vegetable sector, the crops not collected by the producer will be harvested by volunteers and delivered to those in need.
The first activity of the project was held in a tomato field in Kınık district of İzmir province with the participation of Chairperson of Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters’ Association Hayrettin Uçak, Kınık District Governor Erol Türkmen, Kınık Mayor Dr. Sadık Doğruer, İzmir Agriculture and Forestry Deputy Director Oktay Darcan and Konak Agriculture and Forestry District Director Ruhşan Özdemir Çifci.
Stating that Turkey produces 55 million tonnes of fresh fruit and vegetables annually, but 50 percent of this amount is wasted and lost before it comes to the table, Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters’ Association Chairperson Hayrettin Uçak said, “We are the stakeholders of the ‘Volunteer Final Harvest Project’, that we aim to redirect the lost fresh food back to human consumption with the Project and that we also plan to emphasize the causes of pre-harvest losses in plant production within the food system.”
“Voluntary harvests will strengthen economic and social cohesion. It will be adopted as a tradition of collecting in order to prevent pre-harvest losses and as a basic strategy for sustainable food,” added Hayrettin Uçak.
Pointing out that the project is aimed at consumers from all walks of life, Hayrettin Uçak concluded, “It will not only contribute to the right to a healthy, adequate, balanced and equal diet, but also will strengthen social solidarity and raise awareness of preventing food loss and waste. In terms of volunteers; Especially during the pandemic process, it will be a pleasant time in the countryside and a kind of ecological therapy.”
