A protocol has been signed on the installation of Honey Filling, Packing and Processing Plant in Bozkır, Konya, within the scope of the Göksu Taşeli Watershed Development Project, supported by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The plant which is expected to make a significant contribution to local development, is planned to start the production in 2021.

On May 6, 2020, a cooperation protocol has been signed on the installation of Honey Filling, Packing and Processing Plant in Bozkır, Konya, under the Göksu Taşeli Watershed Development Project implemented with the support of UNDP to reduce rural poverty by supporting economic diversification.

The realization activities of Bozkır Honey Filling, Packing and Processing Plant, which has been prepared through a cooperation between Konya Provincial Directorate of the Ministry, Konya Metropolitan Municipality, Bozkır Municipality and Bozkır Agricultural Development Cooperative, will start soon. The plant was announced as one of the qualified projects to be supported within the scope of the Göksu Taşeli Watershed Development Project, by Dr. Ekrem Pakdemirli, the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.

Bozkır province of Konya and its neighborhood is not sufficient from the point of required soil qualities for the production of industrial crops. Thus, for the locals who are trying to make a living on this land, beekeeping is a main source of income.

The plant will be established within the scope of Göksu Taşeli Watershed Development Project, being implemented by Directorate General of Agricultural Reform of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, with funding from IFAD and the technical support of UNDP, in Konya and Karaman provinces. It will first set a brand value for the local products. Then, it is aimed to increase the income of the local people by solving one of the main challenges; marketing and increasing the value added. The project thus will have significant contribution to regional development.

The land of the plant will be expropriated by Bozkır Municipality, while the construction works will be realized by Konya Metropolitan Municipality. Following the completion of the bidding process for the construction works as early as possible at the first stage, the plant is planned to be completed in 2020 to start the production in 2021. The plant will be operated by the Limited Liability Bozkır Agricultural Development Cooperative, a farmers’ organization dealing with animal husbandry and plant production. Thus, the project serves as a good example of cooperation between various stakeholders.

As per the measures taken within scope of the COVID-19 pandemic, the protocol first has been signed by Mr. Saadettin Saygı, Mayor of Bozkır, and Mr. Hüseyin Dumru, President of Bozkır Agricultural Development Cooperative, and then by Mr. Ali Ergin, Konya Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry, and Mr. Ercan Uslu, Secretary General of Konya Metropolitan Municipality, and has been effective as of 6 May 2020.