Aiming for implementing agricultural projects, a business protocol is signed between Kayseri Governate, Kayseri Sugar and Migros that will accelerate the development in the region.

According to the statement given by Migros; Governor Gökmen Çiçek, Deputy Governor Ömer Tekeş, Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry Bülent Saklav, Chairman of Cooperative of Beetroot Cultivators Hüseyin Akay, Migros Group CMO & Executive Board Member Ekmel Baydur, Executive Committee Member of project advisor companies Gürata and Zzef Erkan Gürkan, along with Ağırnas Women’s Cooperative executives.

In his speech Governor Çiçek stated that women’s cooperatives are the shining star of Kayseri and they need to be supported, and added, “That’s why we are prioritizing cooperation. Our main object is to empower and ensure the sustainability of women’s cooperatives.”

Emphasizing the significance of economic and agricultural richness due to the fertile soil and indigenous products of the province, Çiçek reported that the governate is supporting local production by giving away seeds and public subsidies to producers. “We established a cooperation to make a move on regional development by bringing together Kayseri Sugar and Migros.” he articulated.

Noting that a crop rotation has been planned in the province to yield new crops on the plots which have been laid fallow after the cultivation of sugar beets, Çiçek mentioned “We believe that this cooperation will avail the agricultural development through increasing the income of the farmer and advancing the quality of our crops enough to put them on the nation-wide market. I wish the best for our province out of this agreement we signed with Migros and Kayseri Sugar.” he announced.

Sharing the fact that the number of women’s cooperatives have reached as many as 44 in the last year and a half, Çiçek reported that their total revenue is nearing 120 million Turkish liras.

- we are yielding 299 different crops in 25 different categories.”

Migros Group Chief Markeing Officer and Executive Board Member Ekmel Baydur disclosed that they are supporting local brands and the produce yielded in the province, and articulated “We’re buying 299 different products within 25 categories including indigenous products such as mantı and fenugrek along with sugar, carcass, charcuterie, phyllo dough, pasta, coffee, water, fruit juices, dairy products, olive, various fruits and vegetables, electronics and textile.”

Pointing out that the procurement contributes around a billion Turkish liras to Kayseri’s local economy, Baydur conveyed “Additionally, under the auspices of Governate of Kayseri, we have ongoing works on the support of the local producers, fiscal empowerment of the region, and increasing the diversity of produce with sustainable farming methods on these fertile lands.”

Reporting “Within the framework of our cooperation between Ministry of National Education General Directorate of Lifelong Learning, 2 of the family clubs on 24 different cities are situated in Kayseri.” Baydur added that the family clubs across Türkiye educated over 1 million people up until today. “We offer courses on 225 different topics. Our courses such as crop growing, beekeeping, and agricultural training come with a certificate as well.” he concluded.

Executive Board Member of Gürata and Zzef Erkan Gürkan said that they are meeting with local growers across Türkiye to give consultancy. “Thus, we may secure the continuity of local produce and ensure that the crop is put on the nation-wide market with its fair price. We are glad to be providing support for the agricultural development of the region by our project led by the Governate of Kayseri. We will go on with our projects within this scope on different regions and with different products.” he attested.

Source: Anadolu Agency