Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance Rural Development Programme (IPARD) 2021-2027 of the Republic of Türkiye.

With the implementation of IPARD programme, Türkiye aims to ensure increased competitiveness and improvement of the agri-food sector, sustainable management of natural resources, climate action and rural development. The objectives of the IPARD III Programme are, as follows: (i) modernization of assets of farms and agri-food sector enterprises and improvement of their competitiveness while ensuring their compliance with environmental and other standards, (ii) diversification of rural economic activities, (iii) sustainable management of natural resources, including soil and water as well as protection of biodiversity, (iv) compliance with the acquis in the fields of food safety, veterinary, phytosanitary policies and fisheries, (v) establishment of new processing units for specified sectors, (vi) increased investments on renewable energy production and energy efficiency, (vii) shortening of value chains, (viii) support to small farmers, (ix) supporting of the investments that are in line with the circular economy principles, (x) socio-economic development in rural areas, (xi) integration of women and young farmers into the rural economy, (xii) mitigation and adaptation to climate change, (xiii) improvement of animal welfare, (xiv) control over waste disposed by the enterprises to the environment, (xv) protection of human health, (xvi) implementation of local development strategies, in line with the LEADER approach, (xvii) improvement of training, and (xviii) capacity development through technical assistance.
The IPARD programme supports investments in physical assets of agricultural holdings to align with EU standards, including upgrading buildings, machinery, and equipment. It also helps increasing rural areas' growth potential and their attractiveness, enhancing farmers’ position in the food chain, diversifying income-generating economic activities and fostering rural employment, in particular among women and youth. The participation of farmers in supported producer organizations, local markets, short supply chain circuits and quality schemes, will be promoted. The efficiency, competitiveness and more sustainable agricultural production will be increased in the agri-food sector. The response of the agri-food sector to public demand for high-quality, safe, nutritious and sustainable food as well as animal welfare, will be improved. Investments will be allocated in physical assets concerning processing and marketing of agricultural and fishery products to ensure that food processing companies meet EU food safety and environmental standards. Climate change adaptation and mitigation will be strengthened by promoting renewable energy and circular economy.
Through the implementation of agri-environment-climate and organic farming measures, sustainable management of natural resources and climate change adaptation and mitigation will be ensured by applying agricultural production methods compatible with the protection and improvement of the environment, natural resources, including water, air, soil, biodiversity, the landscape and its features, and genetic diversity. Awareness will be raised ob environmentally-friendly farming practices to decrease the negative impact of farming on the environment. Soil quality will be maintained in terms of fertility, organic matter content and soil structure, and measures will be taken to cope with soil erosion. Groundwater resources will be improved by decreasing the amount of water used for irrigation in agriculture. Biodiversity conservation will be strengthened, in particular by protecting the Great Bustard population through improving their habitats and raising awareness of farmers on the value of biodiversity.
The LEADER approach will be implemented to improve community development, enhance the social capital and contribute to economic, social, cultural and environmental improvements of local areas, by engaging a wide range of multi-sectoral private and public partners and by valorising community resources at the local level. Economic, social and territorial development will be supported through the development of physical infrastructure in Türkiye and business and community development, growth and employment will be facilitated in rural areas. Infrastructure, especially roads, sewerage and water supply systems, will be improved for the development of rural areas. Information and communication systems will be improved to enhance living standards for rural populations. Renewable energy investments will be supported for reducing operating costs of public enterprises and providing heating and electricity sources to public enterprises and villages.
Rural areas will be developed both in economic and social terms by developing existing and building new business activities and hence creating new employment opportunities in rural areas. The farmers' and rural households’ position will be strengthened in the value chain with a particular focus on the position of women and youth in the rural economy. Technical assistance will be provided to build-up modern public administrations for agriculture and rural development in Türkiye, respecting good governance principles and improve community development and social capital in rural areas.