120 MILLION EURO GRANT TO SUPPORT RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

In the context of the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance Rural Development Component, a call has been made for proposals for a grant of a total of 120 million Euro to support enterprises in the areas of agriculture and fisheries in 20 pilot provinces with the aim of restructuring agricultural enterprises, the processing of agricultural and fisheries products, and the diversification and development of rural economic activities.

The Rural Development Programme (IPARD) carried out by the Agriculture and Rural Development Institute (TKDK), which is affiliated to the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, aims to build capacity for sustainable development in the area of rural development and to elevate enterprises to the level of European Union standards throughout Turkey’s EU accession process.

In his statement Minister for European Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said on this issue that the financing would not only encourage investment in the area of rural development but also improve the quality of services to citizens by the development of production and processing at the level of EU standards.  Bagis also said: “Rural Development is an important resource particularly for investments by small and medium-size enterprises in this area.  These enterprises, which will be able to establish facilities at EU standards through the Rural Development Fund, will increase their competitiveness and provide higher food quality and safety services to our citizens.”

The extension of the Rural Development Component, which is currently being implemented in 20 pilot provinces, to 42 provinces is planned.

For more detailed information on the call for proposals to the Agriculture and Rural Development Institute (Dates for application are from October 1, 2012 to October 24, 2012) please click on the following website:

http://www.tkdk.gov.tr/BasvuruFiles/BasvuruCagriIlani/Yedinci_Basvuru_Cagri_Ilani.pdf