3.3 Billion Lira Support Package for Forest Villagers
· Anadolu Ajansı
Within the scope of ORKÖY projects, 3.3 billion lira in financing will be provided to over 11,000 forest villager households and cooperatives in 2026.
A Huge Budget for Rural Development
Allocations for ORKÖY projects, carried out to improve living standards in forest villages and revitalize the local economy, are increasing. An official from the General Directorate of Forestry, Karacabey, shared the following information about the support provided and the targets:
"ORKÖY supports are also used to increase the effectiveness of the community in protecting forests and combating fires. Since the beginning of the year, a total of 1.933 billion lira in allocations has been transferred to 5,345 households. Within the scope of the 2026 work program, it is planned to support 11,325 forest villager households and Agricultural Development Cooperatives with a budget of 3.3 billion lira. Additionally, we aim to provide water spraying tanker support with a total budget of 118.5 million lira to 667 citizens in 202 Forest villages."
Twenty Percent Grant Opportunity
The financing models offered for the development of approximately 7 million citizens living in about 23,000 forest villages across Turkey provide convenience to producers. 20% of the provided support packages are allocated as non-repayable grants, and 80% as interest-free loans. This favorable financing structure alleviates the debt burden of rural producers while paving the way for the continuation of agricultural and animal husbandry investments. Officials state that the supports make a strong contribution to household economies and local production capacity.
Production Areas and Projects
In line with the program, agricultural activities such as dairy cattle breeding, dairy sheep farming, beef cattle farming, scientific beekeeping, and medicinal aromatic plant cultivation are primarily encouraged. Climate-resilient rural life is strengthened through international watershed projects like TULIP, İDOP, and FIRAT. Farmers are also provided with technical equipment opportunities such as micro-credit, solar water heating systems, rooftop solar power plants, and log debarking machines, thereby increasing productivity in rural areas.