Tuesday, 18 February 2025
Mayor Altay:

Mayor Altay: "We Provided 808 Million Lira to Farmers for Agricultural Development"

Konya Metropolitan Municipality continued its support for farmers and producers in Konya in 2024.


The President of the International Agricultural Cities Union and Konya Metropolitan Municipality, Uğur İbrahim Altay, emphasized that Konya is one of Turkey's leading cities in agriculture and livestock. He stated that they are working intensively to increase agricultural production and enhance the prosperity of producers in their local communities.


406.4 Million Lira Support in Saplings, Seedlings, and Equipment


Mayor Altay emphasized their unwavering support for Konya's producers, stating:

"As we do every year, our support for farmers across our 31 districts continued in 2024. This year, we provided 211,000 seedlings, 85,000 saplings, and 128,000 square meters of fishnet support to our producers. Since 2018, we have delivered a total of 23,088,000 saplings and seedlings. The value of this support, adjusted to current rates, amounts to 151.6 million lira.


In addition, to address the shortage of roughage in livestock farming, we have offered seed support, beekeeping assistance, agricultural machinery and equipment, livestock materials, and project funding. These efforts have amounted to 254.8 million lira in support since 2018. Thus, the total agricultural support provided to our farmers since 2018 has reached 406.4 million lira.


We also deliver agricultural training to spread modern farming techniques and boost productivity. Since 2018, we have provided training to 75,000 farmers, bringing the total number of farmers who have benefited to 159,000."


Seed Support Enhances Livestock Production


Mayor Altay highlighted that seed support plays a vital role in livestock production, stating:

"In 2024, we provided over 111,000 kilograms of seeds to our farmers. Since 2020, the total amount of seed support we have delivered has reached 1,117,225 kilograms. Our efforts to provide local and national seed support will, God willing, continue to grow in the coming period.


These agricultural support initiatives not only strengthen Konya’s agricultural sector but also help our producers work toward a more sustainable future."


Irrigation Investments Maintained Momentum in 2024


Mayor Altay emphasized that Konya is one of the cities most affected by drought caused by global climate change, underlining the importance of irrigation investments in this context. He stated:


"As part of our 2024 investments, the livestock watering pond in Tol Neighborhood of Seydişehir District was renewed, and its capacity was tripled. The pond, now holding 15,000 cubic meters, was equipped with a bottom outlet system, and a new 650-meter water line was constructed.


In Yunak District, livestock watering facilities were established in the Koçyazı, Kurtuşağı, and Yeşilyayla neighborhoods. Additionally, the construction of a pressurized closed irrigation system in Harmanyazı Neighborhood of Ilgın District continues, which will significantly contribute to regional agriculture. The project involves laying a 16.5-kilometer pipeline and constructing a 1,000-ton reservoir. It is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2025, with 70% of the work already finished.


In 2024 alone, we allocated approximately 49 million lira for irrigation investments."


402 Million Lira in Total Support for Agricultural Irrigation


Mayor Altay noted that since taking office in 2018, they have completed 64 small-scale irrigation projects with support from KOP (Konya Plain Project). He emphasized that the total value of these irrigation investments has reached 402 million lira at current rates.


808 Million Lira Support for Agricultural Development


Mayor Altay stated that since 2018, Konya Metropolitan Municipality has provided a total of 808.4 million lira in support through saplings, seedlings, seeds, agricultural equipment, and small-scale irrigation investments. He remarked:


"The hard work of our producers plays a critical role in the development of our city and country. Our primary duty is to ease their burden, make production processes more efficient, and support rural development. As the Metropolitan Municipality, we will continue to support agriculture and livestock at all times."