Minister of
Food, Agriculture and Livestock Mehdi Eker met the President of Niger Issoufou
Mahamadou and accompanying delegation at the meeting hall of the General Directorate
of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM).
Minister
Eker, who gave information about Turkey’s agricultural sector, agricultural
research system and the operation of system in this area, stated that agricultural
activities are carried out in nearly 24 million hectares of land in Turkey,
besides polyculture farming with the growing of nearly 150 various agricultural
products.
Minister
Eker declared that Turkey’s agricultural national product is approximately 62
billion dollars and added "Turkey is first in Europe and seventh in the
world in terms of its agricultural production volume. Turkey is a net exporter
country in terms of agricultural product and trade. Export of last year was 18
billion dollars."
Turkey is
one of the richest countries in the World in terms of biodiversity, Minister
Eker said. Turkey is situated at the intersection of three important genetic
centers. Progress of the last decade was made through increase of productivity,
which achieved by the policies and projects implemented.
Mahamadou:
“We desire to benefit from the agricultural experience of Turkey”
Following the
speech of Mr. Eker, General Director of TAGEM Masum Burak informed the guest
President Mr. Mahamadou and his delegation of agricultural research system and
its operation in Turkey. After the
presentation, President of Niger Mr. Mahamadou declared “Turkey made great
success in agriculture. We desire to benefit from its experience thereof. Niger
was exposed to the adverse effects of drought and climate change. His country
has overcome such problems and aims to increase agricultural productivity
through R&D program they initiated in order to be self-sufficient in agriculture.
President of
Niger Mr. Mahamadou and the Minister Eker presented gifts to each other after
the meeting. They then visited the Genetic Bank of Turkey. Minister Eker also
informed the guest President of endemic plant species and wheat species grown
in Turkey and of the Plant Museum.