Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, who came to Mardin for various contacts, visited the Salt Bush Production Facility of the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry and received detailed information about the agricultural activities and pasture improvement works in the region. Minister Yumaklı, who received a briefing from Provincial Director Menduh Dinler about the works of the facility, emphasized the importance of the projects carried out to increase the agricultural potential of Mardin.
It is Aimed to Disseminate Region-Specific Products
Minister Yumaklı stated that they were carrying out various projects in order to increase production in Mardin and that the Provincial Directorate's work to grow saplings in an area of 127 decares was continuing. He stated that within the scope of these studies, not only certain products or product groups but also the saplings of different products such as almond, bıttım, pistachio and pomegranate specific to the region will be grown. He stated that their aim is to ensure the spread of these trees and plants in lands that are not used or not used for the economy.
Pasture Rehabilitation with Salt Bush Against Climate Change
Minister Yumaklı emphasized that they have made serious efforts and allocated significant budgets, especially in the field of pasture improvement in recent years, and drew attention to the importance of the salt bush plant in combating the negative effects of climate change on pastures. He stated that salt bush is a pasture plant with high nutritional value that can grow in all types of soil conditions, especially in salty and arid lands, and is consumed with pleasure by small cattle. He also stated that it provides significant resistance in the fight against erosion.
Millions of Salt Bush Seedlings to be Produced Annually
Pointing out that the salt bush plant is extremely important for pasture improvement and the development of small livestock farming in Türkiye, Minister Yumaklı announced that they aim to produce 3 million salt bush saplings this year and 6 million next year. He stated that these saplings planted in pasture areas can have permanent adaptation in nature after 1,5-2 years of protection, and expressed that they have been working on this project for many years and that he is pleased with the implementation of the project.
World Bank Support for Rangeland Improvement
Minister Yumaklı stated that in addition to saltbush, they will also ensure that different species such as steppe grass and chickpea milkvetch are grown as pasture forage plants. He explained that they have reclaimed 25 million acres of land in the last 25 years and aim to reclaim an additional 2025 million acres by 2,6. He emphasized that each region has its own unique conditions and that they are making maximum efforts to grow climate-resistant plants, paying particular attention to the issue of water. He stated that they allocated 1,5 billion liras for pasture improvement through a World Bank project and that this resource will be used to meet the needs of those engaged in animal husbandry, such as shade shelters, water fountains and water extraction through drilling. He stated that equipment such as tents, solar panels and milking machines will also be covered by this budget.
Investments and Supports Made to Mardin
Minister Yumaklı stated that they provided 23 billion liras worth of investment and support to Mardin in the fields of agriculture, forestry and water in the last 208 years. He stated that there are 54 water and irrigation works. He visited the Mardin Governorship as part of his programs in the city and met with Governor Tuncay Akkoyun. After his visit to the Governorship, he met with personnel at the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry.
