6 November 2025, Ankara – On 10–13 October, FAO-Türkiye proudly participated in the First FAO Global Exhibition: From Seeds to Foods, held in Park of Porta Capena, Rome, Italy. The exhibition brought together Member Countries, partners and exhibitors from around the world to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of FAO. Türkiye was represented through two flagship initiatives that reflect its commitment to sustainable agriculture and international cooperation, demonstrating how innovation, partnership, and traditional knowledge can build resilient agrifood systems. 

Empowering dryland farmers in Nigeria through South–South Cooperation

On 11 October, the Talks Section of the Global Exhibition featured a discussion focusing on a flagship initiative supported by Türkiye through the FAO-Türkiye Partnership Programmes (FTPP). Entitled “Türkiye-Nigeria South-South Cooperation: Diversification and Sustainable Crop Production Intensification for Smallholder Farmers in the Drylands of Borno State”, the talk explored on outcomes of a joint venture by Türkiye and Nigeria to promote crop diversification and sustainability in Borno State’s drylands through technical collaboration and shared experience.

The talk was moderated by Michela Baratelli, Programme Officer and Communications Coordinator of the FAO South-South and Triangular Cooperation (PST) Division and opened by Anping Ye, Director of the PST Division, FAO Headquarters. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture of Nigeria, explained that the partnership with Türkiye represents a transformative model for Africa, demonstrating that solidarity and technical cooperation can yield real benefits for smallholder farmers. 

Mehmet Yener, Deputy Director General for EU and Foreign Relations at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Türkiye emphasized that this cooperation reflects the Ministry’s strong commitment to global solidarity and shared progress, noting that Türkiye is prepared to support developing countries through the exchange of technology, experience and improved seeds. “Even with limited resources, this partnership achieved tangible results, showing that small budgets can lead to big impacts when guided by commitment and a spirit of cooperation”, he said.

Fazıl Düşünceli, FAO Agricultural Officer from the Plant Production and Protection Division, concurred noting that the project represents “a real example of international teamwork”, with Türkiye and Nigeria learning from each other in the field and building a model of South-South cooperation in dryland agriculture. He added that the seed varieties used in the project were the results of long-term breeding and research conducted by the Field Crops Central Research Institute (FCCRI) in Ankara represented at the exhibition by its Director Hümeyra Yaman, reflecting Türkiye’s notable scientific capacity and contribution to global agricultural advancement.

Veysel Dönderalp, FAO Project Coordinator at FAO Türkiye, reflected on the project’s achievements with emotion and pride. “New crops brought new hope”, he said. “For the first time, farmers in Borno cultivated chickpea, lentil, black cumin, coriander and fenugreek, which adapted perfectly to the regional climate. They enriched local diets and also opened up new market opportunities, showcasing how resilient seeds can bring better food and a better life.”

Zanna Abba Kura from the Mohammet Lawan College of Agriculture in Maiduguri, who implemented the project with farmers in Borno State, Nigeria, shared his firsthand experiences, describing how the newly introduced crops and improved practices enhanced food diversity, soil health and farmers’ incomes. “What we have built”, he said, “is not just a project, but a partnership rooted in friendship, trust and shared learning between Türkiye and Nigeria”. Finally, Anping Ye commended the initiative as “a strong symbol of South-South solidarity”, noting that the project united two nations under a shared mission of agricultural resilience.

Showcasing ancient grains and agroecology from Bolu, Türkiye

At the Regional Pavilion of Europe and Central Asia (REU), FAO-Türkiye presented its second flagship initiative, a GEF-funded project entitled “Enhancement of Agro-ecological Management System through Promoting Ecosystem Oriented Food Production”, implemented in Bolu Province, Türkiye.

Five innovative IZA wheat-based products — bread, grissini, cookies, muffins and crackers —were shown for the first time at the exhibition. IZA wheat is one of the earliest domesticated wheat species, first cultivated 10 000 to 13 000 years ago in the Karacadağ region of Southeastern Türkiye. These ancient Anatolian grains were revived through modern agroecological production and the products were developed through intense research by the project partner Field Crops Central Research Institute. 

Through presentations and tastings, the FAO-Türkiye delegation—led by Veysel Dönderalp and including Mehmet Yener, Işıl Eker, Head of Department at the General Directorate of Agricultural Reform, Hümeyra Yaman, Erdal Eren Yeler, Research Engineer at FCCRI, and Fazıl Düşünceli—introduced IZA wheat products to international visitors, explaining how traditional crops and local knowledge can inspire modern sustainability practices.

During the event, Fatih Özdemir, Deputy Director General of the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM), delivered a presentation entitled “Seed Industry, Production and Local Seeds in Türkiye”, emphasizing that Türkiye’s robust seed industry, supported by its research institutions and genetic diversity, plays a vital role in supporting both national food security and the global transition to sustainable agriculture. 

Özdemir and the project team explained that the success of transforming IZA wheat into high-value food products not only represents a milestone for the project but also constitutes a symbol of Türkiye’s agroecological vision and genetic richness, embodying the harmony between science and culture, and showing that biodiversity and tradition can guide innovation and resilience in food systems.

A celebration of partnership and heritage

FAO-Türkiye’s participation in the From Seeds to Foods exhibition showcased the tangible outcomes of these two initiatives, while reaffirming Türkiye’s leadership in promoting sustainable agriculture, local seed diversity and South-South collaboration. From the fertile valleys of Bolu to the drylands of Borno, these stories reflect the spirit of partnership and heritage that lies at the heart of FAO’s mission, creating a world of better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life for all.

About the FAO-Türkiye Partnership Programmes

The objectives of the FAO-Türkiye Partnership Programmes are to provide support to ensure food security, rural poverty reduction and sustainable forest management; combat desertification; and preserve ecosystems in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, and other countries of mutual interest.

Established in 2007, the first phase of the FAO-Türkiye Partnership Programme on Food and Agriculture (FTPP) has benefited from trust fund contributions totalling USD 10 million, financed by the Government of Türkiye and represented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. During the first phase of the programme, 28 projects were implemented in 16 countries between 2009 and 2015.

In 2014, Türkiye and FAO commenced the second phase of the FTPP along with the first phase of the FAO-Türkiye Forestry Partnership Programme (FTFP) with additional funding of USD 20 million, bringing Türkiye’s total contribution to USD 30 million.

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