A publicity programme for the 155 Local Action Groups eligible for support under the IPARD III Programme LEADER Measure was held in Ankara on 6–7 April with the honouring of the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, İbrahim Yumaklı.
The event was also participated by Abdülkadir Polat, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry; Dr Osman Yıldız, Director General of Agricultural Reform and Head of IPARD Managing Authority; Ahmet Antalyalı, President of IPARD Agency (ARDSI); Leyla Alma, Agricultural Sector Manager at the European Union Delegation to Turkey; and 155 representatives of Local Action Groups.
35 Million Euro Support Package
In his opening speech, Minister Yumaklı stated that they had launched a significant support package aimed at strengthening rural development.
Yumaklı stated that, under the IPARD III Programme, a total of 35 million euros (approximately 1.8 billion Turkish lira) of support would be provided to 155 Local Action Groups operating in 194 districts, emphasising that this support was a concrete demonstration of the commitment to rural development.
“Rural Development Is a Way of Life”
Minister Yumaklı noted that rural development is no longer limited to agricultural production alone, stating:
“Rural development is a way of life in which the economy, social structure, cultural values, the environment and human resources are shaped together.”
Recalling that the IPARD I and II Programmes had been successfully completed, Yumaklı stated that IPARD III had been rolled out across all 81 provinces in Türkiye.
Women and Young People Are More Active in Rural Areas
Yumaklı noted that rural development is no longer limited to farmers alone, adding that women’s cooperatives and young people have also become an important part of the process.
Yumaklı, who stated that investments would break down prejudices against rural areas, said, “A strong rural sector means a strong Türkiye.”
Local Development through LEADER Approach
Highlighting the importance of the LEADER approach, Yumaklı concluded by stating that development should be built from the ground up rather than dictated from the centre:
“Development is not formed at the centre; it is built at the local level.
Meaningful Gift for Minister Yumaklı
As part of the programme, Dr Osman Yıldız, Director General of Agricultural Reform and Head of IPARD Managing Authority, presented the Yatağan sword—one of the most distinctive and historically significant weapons in Turkish history, named after the town of Yatağan in the Serinhisar district of Denizli—to İbrahim Yumaklı, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.
Presentation of Checks to Local Action Groups
During the programme, Minister Yumaklı gave support cheques to a number of groups selected to represent 155 Local Action Groups from 60 provinces across Türkiye. The groups that received the cheques included Erzurum (Tortum-Uzundere), Kayseri (Boğazpınarı), Yozgat (Sarıkaya), Kastamonu (Şenpınar), Balıkesir (Havran), Afyonkarahisar (Frigya), Ankara (Kızılcahamam), Denizli (Kızılhisar) and Çorum (İskilip).
Visit to the Local Produce Stands
Minister Yumaklı visited the stands set up by the Local Action Groups and obtained information about the local products on display. During the visit, the diversity of rural production and the economic contribution of local values were highlighted.
Training and Information Sessions Were Held
Throughout the two-day programme, staff of the IPARD Managing Authority made comprehensive information presentations for the participants.
Among the presentation topics:
• The IPARD III Programme and the LEADER approach
• The Local Development Strategy process
• Financial planning
• Annual action plan
were covered.
In addition, while Özgür Demir, Head of the Working Group at the Directorate General for Relations with Civil Society within the Ministry of the Interior, provided information on the Associations Act, experts from the IPARD Agency delivered technical presentations on practical applications.
The Programme Concluded with Sharing of Experiences
At the panel held on the final day of the programme, representatives from the five Local Action Groups established during the IPARD II period, shared their experiences and examples of best practice with the participants.
The event concluded with a question-and-answer session.
The event was also participated by Abdülkadir Polat, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry; Dr Osman Yıldız, Director General of Agricultural Reform and Head of IPARD Managing Authority; Ahmet Antalyalı, President of IPARD Agency (ARDSI); Leyla Alma, Agricultural Sector Manager at the European Union Delegation to Turkey; and 155 representatives of Local Action Groups.
35 Million Euro Support Package
In his opening speech, Minister Yumaklı stated that they had launched a significant support package aimed at strengthening rural development.
Yumaklı stated that, under the IPARD III Programme, a total of 35 million euros (approximately 1.8 billion Turkish lira) of support would be provided to 155 Local Action Groups operating in 194 districts, emphasising that this support was a concrete demonstration of the commitment to rural development.
“Rural Development Is a Way of Life”
Minister Yumaklı noted that rural development is no longer limited to agricultural production alone, stating:
“Rural development is a way of life in which the economy, social structure, cultural values, the environment and human resources are shaped together.”
Recalling that the IPARD I and II Programmes had been successfully completed, Yumaklı stated that IPARD III had been rolled out across all 81 provinces in Türkiye.
Women and Young People Are More Active in Rural Areas
Yumaklı noted that rural development is no longer limited to farmers alone, adding that women’s cooperatives and young people have also become an important part of the process.
Yumaklı, who stated that investments would break down prejudices against rural areas, said, “A strong rural sector means a strong Türkiye.”
Local Development through LEADER Approach
Highlighting the importance of the LEADER approach, Yumaklı concluded by stating that development should be built from the ground up rather than dictated from the centre:
“Development is not formed at the centre; it is built at the local level.
Meaningful Gift for Minister Yumaklı
As part of the programme, Dr Osman Yıldız, Director General of Agricultural Reform and Head of IPARD Managing Authority, presented the Yatağan sword—one of the most distinctive and historically significant weapons in Turkish history, named after the town of Yatağan in the Serinhisar district of Denizli—to İbrahim Yumaklı, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.
Presentation of Checks to Local Action Groups
During the programme, Minister Yumaklı gave support cheques to a number of groups selected to represent 155 Local Action Groups from 60 provinces across Türkiye. The groups that received the cheques included Erzurum (Tortum-Uzundere), Kayseri (Boğazpınarı), Yozgat (Sarıkaya), Kastamonu (Şenpınar), Balıkesir (Havran), Afyonkarahisar (Frigya), Ankara (Kızılcahamam), Denizli (Kızılhisar) and Çorum (İskilip).
Visit to the Local Produce Stands
Minister Yumaklı visited the stands set up by the Local Action Groups and obtained information about the local products on display. During the visit, the diversity of rural production and the economic contribution of local values were highlighted.
Training and Information Sessions Were Held
Throughout the two-day programme, staff of the IPARD Managing Authority made comprehensive information presentations for the participants.
Among the presentation topics:
• The IPARD III Programme and the LEADER approach
• The Local Development Strategy process
• Financial planning
• Annual action plan
were covered.
In addition, while Özgür Demir, Head of the Working Group at the Directorate General for Relations with Civil Society within the Ministry of the Interior, provided information on the Associations Act, experts from the IPARD Agency delivered technical presentations on practical applications.
The Programme Concluded with Sharing of Experiences
At the panel held on the final day of the programme, representatives from the five Local Action Groups established during the IPARD II period, shared their experiences and examples of best practice with the participants.
The event concluded with a question-and-answer session.
Republic of Türkiye Ministry Of Agriculture And Forestry 