A New Model in Animal Husbandry: The Meeting of the “Full Collective Care and Milking” Project Was Held

The project of the Collective Care and Collective Milking Center, which will be implemented in Akören village of Burdur province under the leadership of Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, aims to increase socio-economic development and welfare in rural areas. The project aims to increase milk yield per animal, reduce production costs, and raise the income level of the local population by enabling small and medium-sized farmers to benefit from facilities equipped with modern technologies.

The evaluation meeting of the ‘Collective Milking Collective Care Center Akören Model’ was held in the Board of Directors Hall with the participation of Burdur Deputy Adem Korkmaz, Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar, Burdur Agriculture and Rural Development Support Institution (TKDK) Provincial Coordinator Mesut Yıldıran, Kemer District Agriculture and Forestry Director Hamdi Altınışık, Burdur Commodity Exchange President Ömer Faruk Gündüzalp, Burdur Chamber of Agriculture President Kemal Kubilay, Akören Cooperative President Niyazi Boz and representatives of relevant institutions.

It Will Be a Unique Model for Turkey

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar stated that the project will set an example across Turkey, saying, “This project aims to transform individual livestock farming into a large-scale and technological investment in which the villagers actively participate. Our goal is to present a unique model not only for Burdur but for all of Turkey. This model will not be limited to gathering animals in the village at a center, but will also economically include the villagers in the process with a system based on income sharing. As a university, we will contribute to this project with academic support as well as the active participation of our Veterinary Faculty students in animal health and care services.”

Burdur Deputy Adem Korkmaz also emphasized the importance of the project, saying, “We will continue our work in cooperation with all institutions for this project. We fully support this project, which will be a big step for Burdur.”

Then, Dr. Lecturer Ömer Çatal made a detailed presentation about the Collective Care and Collective Milking Center-Akören Cooperative Model at the meeting. In the presentation, it was emphasized that the facilities to be established in the center will be equipped with modern technologies, thereby increasing milk productivity and reducing production costs. In addition, the advantages of making the production process more efficient and having farmers collectively participate in this center were discussed in detail.

It Will Be Supported by a Pilot Program

The Collective Care and Collective Milking Center to be established in Akören village of Kemer district will include many facilities such as barns, maternity wards, infirmaries, feed warehouses, and milking parlors. The collective participation of farmers in this center will make the production process more efficient and reduce external dependency.

The project aims to be supported by a special pilot grant program for Burdur province by the Agriculture and Rural Development Support Institution (TKDK). The prepared pilot program proposal will be presented to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry as a result of the cooperation of all actors, with the joint work of public institutions, non-governmental organizations, and the university. This model is intended to set an example for the entire region as the new face of rural development.