GTB, farmer information meetings continue

The second 'Farmer Information' meeting was held in the rural neighborhood of Alahacı in the Nizip district of Gaziantep, as part of the project carried out in collaboration between the Gaziantep Commodity Exchange (GTB) and the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ).

During the final training meeting of 2023, which took place in Alahacı, Nizip, producers were provided with information on 'Smart Farming Applications, Fertilization, Irrigation, Soil Cultivation, Pruning, Disease and Pest Control, and the EU Green Agreement.' The meeting, which aims to inform farmers on-site for increased productivity under the motto of 'Educated Farmer Conscious Agriculture,' also addressed questions from participants.

As part of the project "Support for Vocational Training and Green Transformation of Agricultural Food Industry with Employment" under the PEP program in collaboration between GTB and GIZ, the 'Farmer Information' meetings implemented throughout Gaziantep reached their second destination in the Alahacı neighborhood of Nizip. The meeting, attended by many farmers, was conducted in two separate sessions.

In the first part of the information meeting, Agricultural Engineer Kurban Nedret shared insights on important aspects and methods for increasing productivity in the cultivation of Pistachios and Olives. Stressing that Pistachios and Olives are among the most important agricultural products in the region, Nedret stated that proper agricultural practices could lead to increased productivity in both crops. Providing information on pruning, fertilization, irrigation, soil cultivation, and disease and pest control for Pistachios, Nedret highlighted common mistakes made in production through a presentation with illustrative examples.

Nedret pointed out the impact of untimely and non-expert pruning on the productivity of Pistachios, stating, 'For pruning to be possible, the majority of the leaves on Pistachio trees must fall, and the tree must enter the dormant stage. Otherwise, pruning performed prematurely can lead to loss of yield and damage to the tree. Additionally, care should be taken not to plow the soil while it is wet in winter. Such plowing can cause the soil to compact, hindering the plant's absorption of certain nutrients, especially potassium.'

In his speech, Nedret also provided information on combating ground larvae and branch moths in Pistachios, considerations for grafting, and conscious fertilization.

In the second session of the farmer information meeting, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Süleyman Mete spoke about the EU Green Agreement and the 'From Field to Fork Strategy.' Explaining that the EU Green Agreement consists of a series of policies and legal regulations created by the European Union (EU) to combat climate change, ensure sustainable economic growth, and make the continent climate-neutral by 2050, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Süleyman Mete said that the agreement concerns many sectors, from industry to agriculture. Sharing insights on carbon footprint and water footprint, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mete also emphasized the importance of the 'From Field to Fork Strategy.' He added that the strategy aims to make improvements at every stage of the food's journey, from production to consumption, to ensure the sustainability, fairness, and health of the food system.

The information meeting concluded with the answering of questions from the farmers.