He produces 100 tons of cheese annually with a grant of 2 million lira from the IPARD program

Nurgül Yıldırım, a woman entrepreneur who received a grant of 2 million TL within the scope of the IPARD Program from the Agriculture and Rural Development Support Institution (TKKD), produces 100 tons of Erzincan tulum cheese annually in her facility.

Living in Erzincan and being a mother of 4 children, Nurgül Yıldırım, with the 65% grant support within the IPARD Program she received from TKDK, increased their production capacity up to 100 tons annually by starting to produce the traditional tulum cheese more professionally.

Yıldırım produces Erzincan tulum cheese using Akkaraman sheep and Kıl goat milk, natural rennet, and Kemah salt specific to the region. Erzincan tulum cheese is put up for sale after a maturation process of 4 months. Yıldırım continues the production techniques she learned from her ancestors on a large scale.

“We produce 100 tons of tulum cheese annually”
Yıldırım stated to İHA reporter that she applied to the IPARD Program upon the recommendation of a friend. Mentioning that they established a large facility with the grant support, Yıldırım said, “We produce Erzincan tulum cheese in our facility and we also have butter additionally. We produce 100 tons of tulum cheese annually and send them to different cities. We store them in our cold storage room at our workshop.”

“Receiving government support is a good thing”
Yıldırım, stating that the grant support gave her strength both spiritually and financially, said, “My advice is for them to be brave and fight to the end. Never give up. That struggle has gained us a lot. It’s a good thing to receive government support. I recommend it to everyone. They should not fall behind in terms of courage. It was easy and good for us.”

Cheese production capacity target is 500 tons per year
Yıldırım, who received a grant of 2 million TL within the scope of the IPARD Program and made an investment of 3 million 100 thousand Turkish Liras in her city, aims to increase the regional cheese production capacity to 500 tons annually and to open up to foreign markets. In addition, 11 people are employed at Yıldırım’s facility.

What is the IPARD Program?
Within the framework of the IPARD Program, jointly financed by Turkey and the European Union (EU), the aim is to implement investments in line with EU standards, diversify economic activities in rural areas, improve the quality of life of the rural population, and prevent migration to cities.