Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, which contributes to farmers in every field from the supply of seedlings and saplings to ensuring quality production, from equipment support to sales and marketing of products in order to ensure rural development in Bursa, has also determined the 2024-2029 Agricultural Vision.
Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Alinur Aktaş made a presentation showing the general situation on agriculture.
Stating that the support will continue to increase in the new period, Mayor Alinur Aktaş stated that they carry out the studies on agriculture in full cooperation and that they are aiming to provide added value to the city.
Stating that they are in constant communication and consultation with all stakeholders on agriculture, Mayor Aktaş also gave information about the studies carried out in the field of agriculture.
Mayor Aktaş stated that they implemented the agricultural forecasting and early warning meteorology station installation project, and that 60 percent subsidized seedlings and saplings were distributed in all districts, primarily Keles, İznik, İnegöl, Orhaneli, Yenişehir, Büyükorhan, Mustafakemalpaşa, with the subsidized seedling-sapling support project. He said that in this way, serious economic support was provided to farmers.
Stating that by involving around 1000 farmer families in the process, they enabled them to produce qualified production in their own regions and turned this into economic gain, Mayor Aktaş said, “We are also preparing the infrastructure that will transform the projects into economy and benefit the farmers. Tarım Landscaping Inc. Our support through continues. During the 6-year period, we purchased nearly 25 million liters of milk and over 100 thousand kilograms of einkorn wheat from our producers through BESAŞ. As of the end of 2023, we have opened a total of 37 thousand 900 hectares of land to agricultural irrigation through ponds, pools and irrigation facilities built by BUSKİ. We left the difficult times behind. I hope our investments will proceed faster from now on. We provided 8 million seedlings and saplings and 800 tons of seed support to our farmers, especially strawberries, blueberries, aronia and raspberries. "All this support will continue," he said.
“WE HAVE TO OPEN UP TO THE WORLD MARKET”
Explaining that cooperatives are very valuable and that they always pay attention to support the production of women's cooperatives, Mayor Aktaş said that they contributed to their economic empowerment by purchasing 2023 thousand handmade products such as tomato paste, noodles, tarhana, honey, olives and vinegar from women's cooperatives in 97. .
Stating that they distributed waterproof fishing overalls and boot sets to 148 crew members working on 310 boats registered to the Bursa Fisheries Cooperatives Association, Mayor Aktaş stated that they also gave 250 thousand square meters of olive harvest cover to 240 olive producers. Stating that they attach importance to beekeeping with 2 beehives, team support and training, Mayor Aktaş said, “We held B550B organizations every year to promote agricultural products in the international arena. Now we have to open up to the world market. We have to be in the champions league in the new era. There is no need to remain humble and say 'we are doing our own thing'. Between 2 and 2018, we distributed a total of 2023 agricultural tools and machines, including milk cooling tanks, tomato paste machines, walnut peeling machines and seed selector machines. We also supported our producers with 650 thousand 58 square meters of strawberry mulch material and 400 thousand 402 meters of drip irrigation pipes. We ensured the protection of 900 thousand decares of pasture with 24 thousand 700 meters of wire fence service. "We will not leave any pasture untouched in Bursa in the field of animal husbandry," he said.
Mayor Aktaş announced that they have very important projects that will be implemented by 2024 and will revive the city in the field of agriculture, and stated that they will continue to support many points from beekeeping to fishing, from seeds to saplings, from tomato paste machines to milk cooling tanks. Stating that they will have expansions regarding new products, Mayor Aktaş said that they are determined to reintroduce chestnuts to Bursa and that they will continue the project to support chestnut saplings resistant to the gall wasp pest in 2024.
Aktaş established Tarım Peyzaj A.Ş. in 2024 in order to expand the agricultural production range of Bursa. He stated that they will support regional production with the artichoke seedling support project with a 60 percent grant.
Reminding that farmers work day and night for their land and fields, they get tired and make effort, Mayor Aktaş said, “Agriculture is indispensable for us. We attach importance to the opinions and suggestions of our agricultural stakeholders and acting together with them. I believe that this meeting is a strong step taken with this thought in mind. Thank you for your support and efforts so far. "I know that this work is very valuable and valuable for our city," he said.
Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Acar also noted that Bursa, which is the fourth largest city in Turkey in terms of population, is not only an industrial city but also one of the most important regions of the country in terms of agriculture. Explaining that the city is in an important position in terms of animal husbandry and aquaculture, Acar thanked Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Alinur Aktaş for his serious support to agriculture.
After the speeches, Mayor Alinur Aktaş presented a support check to 'Mustafakemalpaşa and Surrounding Villages Breeding Cattle Breeding Agricultural Development Cooperative' and 'Çeltikçi Town and Surrounding Villages Agricultural Development Cooperative'. The program ended with a group souvenir photo.
