Hazelnut Workshop Evaluation Report
The final report prepared as a result of the evaluation of the working groups formed on the topics of “Hazelnut Cultivation and Cultural Practices, Production and Support Policies, and Product Processing, Evaluation, and Foreign Trade” at the Hazelnut Workshop held in Trabzon on December 18-19, 2013, was announced…
The working groups included subject matter experts from the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Livestock’s General Directorate of Plant Production, General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies, General Directorate of Food and Control, General Directorate of Agricultural Reform, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Development, and Ministry of Customs and Trade, as well as academics specializing in hazelnuts from the Horticulture Departments of universities, representatives from civil society organizations, and producers.
As a result of the workshop, consensus was reached primarily on the topics listed below.
1. A Renewal Project should be prepared for Hazelnut Orchards that have Reached the End of their Economic Productive Life. (New varieties, modern planting system)
2. Support for Seedling Production
3. Widespread Adoption of Drip Irrigation Systems
4. Widespread Adoption of ITU and Organic Farming Practices in Hazelnut Production
5. Necessary care should be taken in the implementation of Law No. 2844 on the Determination of Hazelnut Planting Areas and related regulations.
6. Area-Based Support Payments Should Continue After 2014.
7. More Support Should Be Provided for Alternative Crop Applications in Compensatory Payments.
8. The 10-acre garden establishment limit for certified sapling usage support provided to farmers should be reduced to 3 acres for hazelnut gardens.
9. Losses during harvesting, threshing, storage, etc. must be minimized.
10. In order to develop licensed warehousing for hazelnuts, the system must be supported and producers must be guided.
11. It is necessary to continue and expand the scope of support for rural development investments.
12. Measures must be taken to diversify products in order to increase processed product exports.
13. It is necessary to ensure branding by promoting Turkish hazelnuts.
14. It is necessary to increase promotional activities and facilitate export operations in order to develop new markets for exports.
15. It is necessary to carry out activities aimed at increasing domestic consumption.
16. The Hazelnut Workshop should be continued periodically in different provinces.
