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YOUNG FARMER ACADEMY PROJECT: SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE MEETING HIGH TECHNOLOGY
SUMMARY
Agriculture plays a vital role in a country’s economic development, food security and social well-being. On the other hand, factors such as climate change, young population not being interested in the farming sector, population growth and limited natural resources put the agricultural sector under significant pressure. Turkey’s Mediterranean Region is one of the regions where climate change is felt most clearly. High temperatures, low rainfall and increased risk of drought pose a major threat to the sustainability of agriculture. This situation negatively affects agricultural and livestock activities in the region, reduces productivity and causes economic losses.
This project proposal presents a comprehensive project focusing on academic and technical details prepared by Balıkesir 6 Eylül Municipality. The aim of the project is to encourage technological innovations in the agricultural sector, increase the skills of young farmers and disseminate sustainable agricultural practices.
PROBLEM DEFINITION
Balıkesir province is one of the regions of Turkey that plays an important role in agricultural production. Natural disasters such as increasing temperatures, irregular rainfall and drought as a result of climate change seriously threaten the sustainability of agriculture in the region. This situation causes poor quality of agricultural products, decrease in productivity and decrease in agricultural income. Interest in agriculture, especially among young farmers, is decreasing and there is a lack of qualified manpower in the agricultural sector.
Balıkesir province has a significant potential with its prominent products in agricultural production. Especially products such as rye, wheat, corn, broad beans, cotton, olives and pepper are widely grown in the region. Due to climate change, the growing conditions for these products are becoming increasingly difficult. Effective use of water resources is also of great importance for the sustainability of agriculture. In this context, local farmers need to be trained on water management and the use of water-saving technologies should be encouraged.
Considering these situations, there is a need to develop a comprehensive project for Balıkesir province in order to increase sustainability in the agricultural sector, adapt to climate change, improve water management and encourage young farmers into agriculture. The main goals of this project include increasing diversity in agricultural production, ensuring effective use of water resources, disseminating agricultural practices compatible with climate change, organizing training programs for young farmers and strengthening the local economy.
In this regard, the “Expert Young Farmer Academy” project, which will be carried out by Balıkesir 6 Eylül Municipality, is designed to strengthen the agricultural sector in the region, increase sustainability and support economic development by creating new job areas for young farmers. The project also aims to increase Turkey’s agricultural potential by contributing to agricultural development at the national level.
(Information on cities that partner organisations’ are located in will be added.)
OBJECTIVES
General Objective
The project aims to lead green and digital transitions in order to accelerate economic transformation in the Mediterranean Region, achieve sustainable and inclusive development by creating new job areas, and increase R&D activities. In addition, it aims to make significant contributions to agricultural development at the national level by establishing international collaborations, qualifying agriculture and agricultural production personnel in the region, strengthening cross-border cooperation, and adopting the understanding of social entrepreneurship and innovation.
Special Objectives
Establishment of Balıkesir Expert Young Farmer Academy: The project aims to establish the Balıkesir Expert Young Farmer Academy, which will create employment opportunities for 240 young people every year and provide practical training. This academy will offer young farmers the opportunity to improve their agricultural skills and adapt to the business world.
Establishment of Thermal Energy Sourced Greenhouse with Technological Infrastructure: A thermal energy sourced greenhouse with technological infrastructure will be established within the Balıkesir Expert Young Farmer Academy, and workshops will be created where agricultural products commonly grown in the region can be processed. This work will promote efficient and sustainable agricultural activities.
Increasing the Socioeconomic Development Ranking: The project aims to increase the socioeconomic development ranking of Balıkesir. It will achieve this by reducing unemployment among young people, increasing lifelong employment opportunities and contributing to the regional economy.Reducing Youth Unemployment and Increasing Employment Opportunities: The project aims to reduce unemployment, especially among young people, throughout Balıkesir and to ensure that young people can be employed throughout their lives. In this context, young people will be equipped with skills that will provide employment in the agricultural sector.
Realization of Cross-Border Collaborations: Cross-border collaborations will be carried out to examine projects that set good examples in the world. In this way, it will increase the impact of the project by ensuring that agricultural innovations and best practices are learned at the international level.
Employment of Academy Graduates and Marketing of Products: Academy graduates will be employed with the employment guarantee given by participating businesses. In addition, the products produced by the academy will be offered for sale through project partners, ensuring that healthy products are marketed to the end consumer with good agricultural practices.
Transition to Innovative Technologies and Increasing Agricultural Productivity through R&D Activities: Within the scope of the project, R&D activities will be carried out and production will be started using innovative agricultural technologies. Thanks to this study, the quality of the produced products will be increased by increasing agricultural efficiency.
Contributing to the Development of the Regional Economy: Young farmers participating in the project will create a qualified workforce in the agricultural sector and will contribute to the development of the regional economy by increasing the demandability of the region for investors.

EXPECTED RESULTS:
– The qualifications of 240 people were increased with the vocational training provided,
– 2 cooperatives were established to operate at the regional level,
– Employability of 240 people increased every year,
– At the end of the project, 40 young unemployed and unemployed women were enabled to start their own businesses,
– At the end of the project, 40 trainees were employed in agricultural enterprises in the region,
– The rate of the agricultural sector in the Balıkesir employment market was increased by 2%
– Balıkesir’s agricultural production efficiency increased by 5%.