Having stated that there is a need for well-equipped human resources who are able to respond to the demands of the sector and to transfer their knowledge to the field, new generation farmers to be seen role models and success stories to be spread throughout all regions of Turkey, H. E. Mr. Ahmet Eşref FAKIBABA, the Minister of Food, Agriculture and Livestock has noted: "Competitiveness and sustainability are the concepts coming to the fore. Therefore, we need to meet our farmers together with training."
The Minister FAKIBABA has made his remarks during the opening workshop of the "Technical Cooperation Project on the Strengthening of Agricultural Extension and Consultancy Services" carried out jointly by the FAO and the MoFAL.
Having mentioned about the bloody attack of Israel the Minister FAKIBABA has stated," First, I would like to express my strong and vehement condemnation of the massacre Israel has perpetrated. As we are struggling for the happiness of mankind for more reliable, healthier food for mankind, I believe that attacking on, killing and hurting innocent people by means of weapons do not befit any country and Israel will certainly be reciprocated for the massacre that it has perpetrated. No massacre has been left unreciprocated and will be. It will absolutely receive the appropriate punishment before the international law.
Having noted that production, consumption and trade balances have been changing rapidly in the sector; the Minister FAKIBABA has noted that competitiveness and sustainability have become concepts that come to the forefront. For this reason, the Minister FAKIBABA has expressed that they would bring farmers together with training and has mentioned that the national agricultural policies should be implemented successfully.
The Minister FAKIBABA has explained that there is need for the model villages, and has stated that profits will increase when villagers co-produce, and that input costs will also decrease.
The Minister FAKIBABA has stated that there is a need for well-equipped human resources who are able to respond to the demands of the sector and to transfer their knowledge to the field, new generation farmers to be seen role models and success stories to be spread throughout all regions of Turkey.
Having provided information about the projects carried out by the agricultural research institutes in order to bring the agricultural innovations to the farmers, the Minister FAKIBABA has expressed that they attach great importance to women and young people.
The Minister FAKIBABA has expressed that they reached about 1,5 million farmers in a year through their training and extension activities. The number of persons and organizations authorized to provide agricultural consultancy services in 2007, when the system became operational, was 85 while today it has reached up to 1,042. The Minister FAKIBABA has stated that the number of persons certified to work in these authorized institutions is 14,058.
Having mentioned that as of the end of 2017, a total of 346 million TL has been paid for consultancy support payments in the past 9 years, the Minister FAKIBABA has noted:
"As of 2018, 38,000 TL will be paid in two tranches following the provision of service for service provider free agricultural consultants and each agriculture consultant who is employed by agricultural chambers, producer organizations and agricultural cooperatives. We, as MoFAL, are carrying out the Technical Cooperation Project in collaboration with FAO, on "Strengthening of Agricultural Extension and Consultancy Services. We will carry out trainings on the capacity building of staff dealing with extension services, woman-oriented extension activities as well as participatory extension activities which civil society organizations will take part in Şanlıurfa and Eskişehir, where the project will be implemented. I will follow this as a citizen even if I am not a Minister. 'Publication Information Network' in line with the developments in communication technologies will be established. At the end of the project, an agricultural publication strategy will be developed. This project will take 2 years with a budget of 280,000 dollars."
"Potential of female farmers in agriculture is yet to be discovered"
FAO Representative in Turkey, Mr. Viorel GUTU has pointed out that the agricultural sector consists of millions of people ranging from big companies to small farmers. "In order to use the potential of this country, we should effectively reach out to each farmer individually and we should provide appropriate assistance to them." GUTU has stated.
Having mentioned that information should be transferred to the farmers for more productivity; "Turkish farmers should bring their own innovation and even export them rather than just learning about innovations in other countries." Within this context, the project attaches particular importance to women. When we do invest in women, the productivity will increase exponentially." GUTU has noted.