The Balıkesir Agriculture and Livestock Fair has opened its doors.

The Agriculture and Livestock Fair, organized within the scope of the “Climate-Suitable Agriculture Project” in Balıkesir, has opened its doors to visitors. Balıkesir Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Akın stated that upcoming fairs will be stronger and more numerous, adding regarding the requests for a new fair center, “Under the leadership of our Governorship, we will bring a beautiful fair center to our Balıkesir together with our Metropolitan Municipality, chambers, and exchange.”

The Agriculture and Livestock Fair, which will be held between November 1-5 within the scope of the “Climate-Suitable Agriculture Project” in Balıkesir, has opened its doors to visitors. The fair, which is organized for the first time this year at the Ali Hikmet Pasha Sports Facilities in collaboration with the Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality, Balıkesir Industrialists and Businessmen Association (BASİAD), Balıkesir Agriculture and Forestry Provincial Directorate, Balıkesir Commodity Exchange, and South Marmara Development Agency, was attended by Balıkesir Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu, DEVA Party Balıkesir Deputy Burak Dalgın, Balıkesir Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Akın, Balıkesir Chief Public Prosecutor Abdülkadir Akın, Altıeylül Mayor Hakan Şehirli, Balıkesir Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Director Erkan Alkan, BASİAD President Selçuk Savaş, Balıkesir Chamber of Commerce President Rahmi Kula, Balıkesir Commodity Exchange President Mehmet Çetin, Vice President of the Industrial Chamber Ali Bilcanlı, sector representatives, academics, and farmers. Mayor Ahmet Akın stated that the fair, which is being held for the first time, will significantly contribute to the development of the agriculture and livestock sector in Balıkesir, and to meet the city’s fair area needs, he said, “Under the leadership of our Governorship, we will bring a beautiful fair center to our Balıkesir together with our Metropolitan Municipality, chambers, and exchange.”

We will provide a fair center

Emphasizing that the first fair is very important for Balıkesir, Mayor Ahmet Akın said, “We say we are the capital of agriculture and livestock. However, we needed a fair organization that stands out and serves as an example regarding agriculture and livestock. This is the first one. The second will be much stronger. It will continue afterward. And hopefully, we will crown it with a fair area that befits our Balıkesir. Together, in unity, we will bring a beautiful fair center to our Balıkesir under the leadership of our Governorship, our Metropolitan Municipality, chambers, and exchange.”

Agriculture and livestock are our red lines

Pointing out that Balıkesir has a vast geography with great wealth, Akın stated, “Balıkesir is one of the leading cities in our country in terms of the agriculture sector. We have many agricultural products with geographical indications. We have a significant position in both large and small livestock in our region and our country. We have award-winning honey worldwide. The world’s finest olives are grown in our region. With the awareness of our pioneering role, we are all working together to advance our city’s agricultural potential further. As Balıkesir, I am confident that we will collectively reach a much better point with the work we will do in agricultural and rural development.” Akın mentioned that planning is vital for the development of cities and stated that they established a Planning and Development Agency in Balıkesir in this regard. He expressed that their sole aim in all the projects they have implemented is to ensure that farmers do not abandon their lands, stating, “Since we took office, we have taken many steps to revitalize the agriculture and livestock sector in Balıkesir. We emphasize the importance of agriculture and livestock. Because sustainable agriculture and livestock in our city is one of our red lines.”

After okra, now it’s time for hummus, apples, and red fruits

Akın conveyed that they have started to gradually implement the Farmer Support Program to ensure continuity for producers and eliminate market problems, stating, “In this context, we have provided certain supports to our producers and continue to do so. We are purchasing products from our producers above market prices, converting them into high value-added products, and exporting them. One of the best examples of this was okra. Now we will continue with hummus in Gönen. Nowadays, we will continue our contract farming with our farmers by purchasing sesame, red fruits, and apples in Balıkesir. In this way, we are trying to encourage our citizens who unfortunately have abandoned their lands, emptied their villages, and distanced themselves from agriculture to return to their lands and produce and earn there again,” he said.

The fair holds significant importance

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the fair held for the first time in Balıkesir, which is vital for the development of the agriculture and livestock sector in Turkey, Balıkesir Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu stated, “We say Balıkesir is a city of agriculture, history, and culture. But most importantly, we say Balıkesir is an agricultural city that feeds Turkey. Given this situation, such organizations and fairs that will add significant brand value to our Balıkesir are befitting for a city like this. I thank everyone who contributed.” DEVA Party Balıkesir Deputy Burak Dalgın noted, “We all know how important agriculture, food, and water are in the period we live in. I believe we should not forget that wars and international competition will also occur within this framework in the upcoming period.”

Thank you to Mayor Akın

Stating that the Ali Hikmet Pasha Sports Facilities, where the fair took place, is the best fair area in the city, but that this is not enough, BASİAD President Selçuk Savaş expressed, “We thank our Metropolitan Mayor Mr. Ahmet Akın, who excitedly supported and embraced us for the realization of this fair and for it to be the fair of the city.” Meanwhile, Vice President of the Industrial Chamber Ali Bilcanlı said, “This fair is of great importance for our city.” Balıkesir Chamber of Commerce President Rahmi Kula emphasized the significance of the fair organized, stating that producers from Balıkesir deserve the best of everything. Balıkesir Commodity Exchange President Mehmet Çetin remarked, “This fair will develop new perspectives in the agriculture sector.”