Context
The city of Izmir is located on the Aegean Sea, near the Gulf of Izmir. It is Turkey's 3rd largest city in terms of population. Its agricultural policy differs from that of Turkey by its desire to fight against drought. Over 70% of water in Turkey is used for agriculture (Lallemand, 2021). If this situation does not change urgently, drinking water will be threatened in the near future. Izmir's agricultural policy aims to reduce the water used for agricultural irrigation by at least 50% by supporting strategic products with high economic value and low water consumption. The municipality wishes to protect its farmers and the inhabitants of the province of Izmir from drought by guaranteeing them drinking water resources.
Based on the conviction that a different kind of agriculture is possible, the "Izmir Agriculture Development Centre" of the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality was commissioned in 2021 to combat drought and poverty and to promote access to healthy food.
It is a center where experts from different disciplines work together, taking into account the sustainability and environmental impacts of agriculture in Izmir. By conducting field studies, collecting and analyzing data, the center aims to identify problems in Izmir's agriculture and develop solutions. These solutions aim to make agriculture more productive and sustainable, increase producers' incomes and protect natural resources. In addition, the work of the Center also aims to involve the community in the process of improving agriculture and raising awareness.
The Agricultural Development Center aims to:
- Conduct problem-oriented research
- Develop field work and planned field projects
- Collect, analyze and make sense of data
- Identify problems, develop projects and new research.
The project
The center is working on four projects for farmers:
- Izmir Agriculture Helpline
This is a support and advice system for farmers to support them in the transition to more sustainable agriculture. Farmers will be advised on:
- Product planning: the right agricultural products suitable for the ecosystem of Izmir agriculture.
- Product design: the marking of manufactured agricultural products or products obtained from agricultural products, packaging and labels.
- Sale and export: this is the establishment of a link between the cooperatives and the producer in the sale and export of agricultural products manufactured or products obtained from agricultural products.
2. Coban Start-Up :
This project supports shepherds in the Izmir region with building materials (bricks, cement, sand, iron, etc.). The centre encourages shepherds to select local breeds of goat adapted to the climatic conditions of the region, while respecting certain specifications on the conditions under which the animals are reared. For example, the animals must graze for at least 7 months. In exchange, the producer will be included in the "Une autre agriculture est possible" certification and inspection programme. This scheme is aimed at young farmers to encourage them to return to pastoral farming.
3. Mera Izmir: Pastures of Izmir
The project aims to end rural poverty, fight drought and achieve healthy and sustainable food. For this, it supports shepherds and cooperatives of small producers who buy milk and meat and feed their animals by grazing the pastures and encourages shepherds to use food produced from local ancestral seeds that consume little water. . This translates into priority purchasing from producers and cooperatives, the creation of direct income for farmers, etc.
4. Yayla Domatesi: Highland tomatoes
The center helps farmers in the region plant ancient tomato seeds (Yayla Domtesi) adapted to local soils and water resources. The center carries out research on old seeds to improve yields and find seeds that are less dependent on water. The aim is to limit imports of foreign seeds unsuited to local soils and climates.
Who is it for ?
These programmes are aimed at male and female farmers in the Izmir region, particularly young people who are victims of poverty and are migrating to the cities.
Results
As part of the project, 423,607 liters of sheep's milk and 1,220,026 liters of goat's milk were collected. The products obtained from the collected milk were offered for sale in the foreign market as well as in the domestic market under the brand "İZMİRLİ", which was set up under the direction of the subsidiary of the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality İzTarı. A cartography which identifies the breeders of the region of Izmir has been carried out.
This initiative sheet was written by Yohan Taris, Let's Food intern in February 2023.
Last modification : 29 Jun 2023.
Izmir Tarimi Gelistirme Merkezi
Based on the conviction that a different kind of agriculture is possible, the "Izmir Agriculture Development Centre" in Izmir Metropolitan Municipality was commissioned in 2021 to combat drought and poverty and promote access to healthy food.