Organic Farming and Stockfarming Project is an initiative by which Aydın Doğan, the founder of our Foundation, wishes to bring prosperity to his birthplace Kelkit, as well as set up a model for sustainable farming, particularly in the east of Turkey – a region somewhat behind times. The aim is to train local farmers and lead the way to sustainable farming and thus contribute to regional economic development in Kelkit while creating jobs and employment opportunities.
To this end, the Aydın Doğan Foundation established in Kelkit a vocational college that offers one year of intensive English preparatory program followed by three years of specialised education, including scientific farming. The goal is to train the young in the region in organic farming and animal husbandry so they could work on the pioneering Organic Husbandry Project.
Furthermore, with the Doğan Organik Ürünler Sanayi Ticaret A.Ş., a company under of the umbrella of the Doğan Group of Companies, the other pillar of the Organic Farming and Husbandry Project has been completed.
Focusing on regional farmers, an extensive practical training program on organic dairy and crop production was organised with the cooperation of the Governorship of Gümüşhane, the Aydın Doğan Foundation, United Nations Development Program UNDP, Organic Farming Department of Aydın Doğan Vocational College and Doğan Organik Ürünler Sanayi Ticaret A.Ş.
This activity has had significant impact on the social development of the farmers as well as on the overall economic development of the region. Farmers who have been trained in organic farming and organic husbandry are now convinced that they can continue organic dairy and crop production on their own. Efforts in solving the multi-faceted marketing issues of farmers also supports the goal of increasing productivity.
Also to this end, farmers, their families, and the young were provided training leading to their economic security. The town's economic life has become more active. Other investments realised by the Aydın Doğan Foundation in Kelkit have also contributed to the overall development of the town. Construction of new infrastructure facilities were supplemented with social activities such as movie showings and free sports lessons offered by the Turkish Olympic Committee to elementary school students. The region has also begun to attract new labor.
The project has also helped develop Kelkit and environs into a center for organic dairy production and husbandry. In 2005 Doğan Organik Ürünler Sanayi Ticaret A.Ş. received Organic Production Certificate from an European Union accreditation agency and started marketing organic milk to the Turkish domestic market. In 2006 Contracted Farmers' Project was started and about 20 regional farmers started organic milk poduction with more than 1000 animals. In line with the developments in the market, other farmers of the region will also be included in the project.
Another development to cite is the growing of organic feed by more than 100 farmers, meeting the feed needs of Doğan Organik Ürünler Sanayi Ticaret A.Ş. as well as that of the contracted farmers of the region.
Aiming to provide wholistic support to the project, the Foundation provides internship and employment opportunities at the organic farms for those students studying organic farming at the Department of Organic Farming at the Kelkit Aydın Doğan Vocational College.
Social responsibility dictates respecting animal rights and the environment. Through organic production, the project has been successfull in contributing to:
- the presenting consumers healthy and safe milk that does not contain chemical residue,
- the protection of the environment so as to leave fertile farm land to future generations,
- the prevention of migration from the region by training locals and creating employment for them,
- the creation of a significant increase in income per capita,
- the increase of the share of registered economic activity.
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