Bridging communities through agricultural resilience
Diyarbakır, Türkiye – The “Bridging Communities through Agricultural Resilience” project, a joint venture between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Türkiye, and financed by the Government of Japan, culminated with a closing event held in Diyarbakır this week. The event included the presentation of awards for the “Women in Agrifood Production Photo Contest”, spotlighting the vital roles of women in the agrifood sector.
The opening remarks at the event were delivered by Mehmet Kaya, President of the Diyarbakır Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Engin Yeşil, Board Member and President of the Diyarbakır Commodity Exchange; Ayşegül Selışık, Assistant FAO Representative in Türkiye; and Ferhat Çolak, Acting Director-General of the General Directorate of EU and Foreign Relations at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Their insights provided a comprehensive overview of the project's objectives, achievements and its transformative impact on communities.
In her speech, Dr. Ayşegül Selışık spoke about the project’s dedication to elevating rural livelihoods and enhancing agricultural productivity, emphasizing that “the initiatives within the project have significantly contributed to enhancing the quality of life in rural area”. Elaborating further, she explained that FAO’s educational programmes “have empowered participants not only to augment their agrifood production but also to access new job opportunities”. The “Women in Agrifood Production Photo Contest”, as an example, “underlines the crucial roles that women play in agriculture and offers them an opportunity to share their stories of achievement and perseverance.”
These award-winning works of photography were showcased during the event and provide a visual testament to varied aspects of life in agrifood production and the resilience of the women working in this sector.
The event marked the project’s successful conclusion and set the stage for future sustainable development initiatives, underscoring the importance of ongoing efforts in rural development and sustainable agrifood production.