The closing meeting of the project on “Technical Assistance for Capacity Building for Measure Advisory Services of the IPARD II Programme in Turkey" conducted by Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, General Directorate of Agriculture Reform, Department of Managing Authority for EU Structural Adjustment was held on 06 February 2020 in Ankara. The aim of the project is to support the advisory capacity in public, non-governmental organizations in order to provide free project preparation for potential low-income beneficiaries to be applied for the IPARD Program. The authorities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the European Union Delegation to Turkey, representatives of NGOs and the Chambers of Agriculture participated to the meeting.
In Meeting, Mr. Hasan ÖZLÜ, General Director of Agricultural Reform, Mr. Bartosz PRZYWARA, Counsellor, Head of Trade and other EU Policies Section- Delegation of the European Union to Turkey, Dr. Hakan ERTÜRK, Head of Central Finance and Contracts Unit and Mr. Haluk ÇAĞLAR, Head of Department of Managing Authority for EU Structural Adjustment delivered speech.
In the speech of Hasan ÖZLÜ, he stated that approximately 85% of the rural residents were small farmers and these small farmers should have been supported, in this context, the project training given to agricultural advisors would provide more project support to small farmers. He also pointed out that "these businesses need serious support in terms of finance, education and project production and the continuous and regular training of agricultural consultants is essential for sustainable agriculture and rural development”.
In the closing meeting, presentations were made regarding the project activities, trainings and as well as agricultural advisory system. In the afternoon session of the program, a panel titled “The Importance of Institutionalism in the Agricultural Advisory System” was held.
The meeting was closed with greetings and good wishes following questions and answers.