Support from the Agriculture and Rural Development Support Institution (TKDK) has enabled investments in livestock farming, dairy products, meat and ice cream across various provinces of Türkiye. The examples, stretching from Şanlıurfa to Van, include newly established farms and production facilities, while some businesses have increased their export capacity.
Livestock investments increase production capacity
Young entrepreneur Bedir Çelik, who returned to Türkiye from abroad, established an agricultural enterprise for red meat production in the Şanlıurfa Agriculture-Based Specialized Cattle Fattening Organized Industrial Zone with TKDK support. Çelik said he applied to TKDK last year, purchased the land through an allocation process and also applied for support for construction, machinery and equipment.
Investor Kavdır from Nevşehir established a slaughterhouse meeting European Union standards with TKDK support, creating employment in the region. Kavdır said the family’s butchery business, which began about 50 years ago, expanded as a family company after 1990, adding that he had been involved in the sector since childhood.
Engineer Öztoprak, who returned to Denizli after living abroad for many years, produces 3.5 tons of milk a day at the farm he established with TKDK support. Öztoprak said he turned to livestock farming after researching the business opportunities available to him in Türkiye and established the enterprise with the support.
Van-based agricultural engineer Öntürk produces 500 liters of milk a day at a dairy cattle farm equipped with a solar panel system, where Öntürk works with a spouse. Öntürk said they prepared the facility’s project together and brought it to life with TKDK support.
Zorlu, who operates in Şadıllı village in Çanakkale’s Gelibolu district, moved the dairy cattle business he had maintained since childhood to a modern facility meeting European Union standards with TKDK support. Zorlu said they began work to close their old businesses and establish a new one.
Farmer Osman Yıldırım from Erzurum developed the farming carried out on land inherited from his grandparents by establishing a new farm. Yıldırım raises Mor Karaman sheep at the facility he established with TKDK support.
Fikri Kaya, a teacher in Sivas, continues the cattle-fattening business he learned from his family under modern conditions at the farm he established with TKDK support. Kaya said he was the child of a farming family, began teaching at the age of 35 and works at the enterprise with his son.
Dairy and processed-food businesses expand
A business in Aydın that has produced milk and dairy products for about 50 years expanded its capacity with TKDK support and began shipping its products throughout Türkiye. Gezici said they were continuing the family business and had operated in the sector for nearly half a century.
A couple who graduated from pharmacy school and began producing boutique ice cream in Diyarbakır 20 years ago expanded their facility with TKDK support. Erol said they had considered establishing a business with a spouse to contribute to their hometown and began producing ice cream with that aim; the couple plans to export ice cream.
A business established in Malatya five years ago also took chicken and meat döner production to international markets with TKDK support. Yıldırım said they established the company with two partners, later partnered with an Iraqi investor and initially sold products only to Iraq; the business now exports to numerous countries, from Hong Kong to Morocco.
Regional production and red meat investments
Aşar, who works in livestock farming in Mardin, established a cattle-fattening farm with TKDK support. Aşar said livestock farming was a family business and that the region had room for development in this field, adding that the farm would contribute to meeting the region’s red meat needs.
