Anatolia's Rural Development Projects Converge in Ankara
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Organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, YEGFEST 2026 brings together the development strategies and local products of 155 Local Action Groups from 60 provinces in the capital.
Rural Development Projects Meet in the Capital
YEGFEST 2026, launched under the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, brings together Anatolia's rural development projects in Ankara on September 7-8. 155 Local Action Groups, operating in 60 provinces and 194 districts across Turkey, will showcase their region-specific strategies in the capital. Projects carried out across a wide geography, from the Black Sea to the Aegean, from Central Anatolia to Southeastern Anatolia, aim to give new momentum to the rural economy by bringing together local producers, non-governmental organizations, and local administrations on a common platform.
Branding and Marketing for Local Products
Local Action Groups are implementing comprehensive promotion programs to bring traditional products, previously limited to local markets, to consumers in national and international markets. Producers are receiving practical training in value addition, supply chain management, e-commerce, and digital marketing. In addition to prepared local product catalogs and newly established sales channels, rural gastronomy, traditional handicrafts, and local cultural heritage are being leveraged for tourism, opening up avenues for non-agricultural income. This creates a sustainable income diversity for businesses operating in rural areas.
Support for Women and Young Entrepreneurs
Women's cooperatives and young entrepreneurs are at the center of the new rural development vision. Special support programs are being implemented to increase the production and marketing capacity of women, while the young population is encouraged to stay in rural areas and establish new businesses. Through capacity-building training, the market competitiveness of local producers is being enhanced. These steps contribute to reducing rural-to-urban migration and bringing local labor directly into production.
Republican History Record in Agricultural Output
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı shared current data showcasing Turkey's strength in agricultural production at the Istanbul International Food and Beverage Products Fair. Minister Yumaklı announced that Turkey has risen to 7th place in the global agricultural output ranking, from 12th place in 2002. The Ministry emphasized that the recorded agricultural output of $83.2 billion has reached the highest level in the republic's history, and announced that Turkey's share in global agricultural added value is 1.75 percent.
Export Success Reaching Global Markets
While Turkey's overall share in the global economy hovers around 1.35 percent, the momentum of growth in agricultural foreign trade continues unabated. According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Turkey exported 2,226 types of agricultural and food products to 185 different countries, generating $32.6 billion in export revenue. Minister İbrahim Yumaklı stated that the country's agriculture meets the food needs of over 60 million tourists in addition to its 86 million citizens, and aims to make Turkey a reliable production base in the global food market.