The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry plans to invest approximately 65.5 billion lira in 3 years for the activities to be carried out within the scope of the Rural Development Program.
According to the information compiled by the AA correspondent from the 2026 Performance Program of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, programs are being prepared within the framework of the “Supporting Agricultural Activities in Rural Areas Sub-Program” to improve the quality of life and economic diversity in rural areas and to build local rural development capacity.
In this context, with the understanding of sustainable rural development, it is aimed to ensure that the population remains in rural areas by increasing the production capacity of producer associations and family businesses and the employability of the rural workforce.
It is aimed to increase the quality of life in rural areas by supporting economic investments in order to improve rural infrastructure and ensure agriculture-industry integration.
Activities are carried out to develop the agricultural marketing infrastructure, create alternative income sources in rural areas, strengthen the rural economic infrastructure, expand the use of new technologies by producers and support investments involving new technologies.
PROJECTS FOR WOMEN FARMERS WILL BE INCREASED
In order to encourage women entrepreneurship in rural areas, projects will be carried out for women farmers to generate income, provide professional skills, increase the diversity of activities and strengthen socioeconomic aspects.
While the cumulative number of projects benefiting women farmers was 305 last year, the number is expected to increase to 340 this year and to 410 by 2028.
In order to contribute to the development of agriculture-industry integration, it is aimed to increase the number of organized agricultural regions (OTB) within the scope of supporting clustering activities.
Within the scope of the sub-program, the budget was determined as 14 billion 793 million 860 thousand lira last year. While the budget in question increased to 19 billion 794 million 994 thousand liras this year, the amount is expected to reach 21 billion 960 million 44 thousand liras in 2027 and 23 billion 723 million 646 thousand liras in 2028.
Thus, the Ministry aims to invest approximately 65.5 billion liras to support rural development in 2026-2028.
AGRICULTURAL DROUGHT REPORTS WILL BE PREPARED
While the pressure of climate change is being felt more in the agricultural sector, various studies are being carried out within the scope of the “Combating and Adapting to Climate Change Sub-Program”, which is carried out to increase the adaptation capacity of agriculture.
Awareness-raising activities will be carried out on sustainable agricultural practices that encourage the effective use of limited natural resources in the agricultural sector and reduce carbon emissions and water consumption.
At the same time, it is aimed to strengthen the sector’s adaptation capacity to climate change by raising awareness of farmers and relevant stakeholders about the effects of climate change and the measures that can be taken.
Within the scope of the National Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory studies, it is envisaged to make scientific contribution to the shaping of climate policies on a sectoral basis by calculating greenhouse gas emissions and sinks related to land use, land use change and the forestry sector.
In addition, regular agricultural drought reports will be prepared in order to monitor agricultural production and take the necessary measures in a timely manner against the increasing risk of drought due to climate change, thus increasing the effectiveness of early warning and risk management processes.
