In 8 years, nearly 400M TRY for livestock support

Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumaklı stated that their Shepherd Employment Support initiative, launched in 2014 to contribute to insured shepherd employment, has benefited around 63,000 enterprises and individuals until 2022. He highlighted providing nearly 400 million Turkish liras in shepherd support over the last 8 years. Minister Yumaklı emphasized the positive impact of the program on employment in rural areas, integrating shepherds into social security, and preventing lamb losses and excessive pasture use through training courses. He also mentioned the 67% increase in small livestock numbers over the past 21 years, reaching 53.2 million, attributing it to their implemented measures. Additionally, Yumaklı shared that in 2022, the support amount for enterprises/shepherds with 100 breeding sheep or goats, employing certified shepherds, was increased to 12,000 liras, benefiting 9,775 enterprises/shepherds. The total support payment reached 392.97 million TL for 62,805 enterprises/shepherds from 2014 to 2022. In 2023, a support payment of 30,000 TL will be provided for employed shepherds under the Shepherd Employment Support.

Trainings provided to shepherds

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry provides support to businesses employing shepherds who have obtained certificates through farmer training courses organized within the framework of herd management. Between 2013 and 2023, 2,125 training activities were conducted under the herd management project, with 49,790 individuals receiving certificates. The training covers various topics such as feeding the herd, pasture plants, herd maintenance, physical characteristics of animals, milking techniques, milk preservation methods, characteristics of pregnant animals, care of newborns, shepherd dog training and care, herd health, animal health and diseases, contagious diseases, animal vaccinations, benefits of colostrum, characteristics of breeding animals, mating period for rams, bucks, and bulls, herd direction, accommodation and watering of the herd, as well as occupational health and safety. The training also includes assessment and evaluation components.