The government continues to provide grants and low-interest loans to women farmers in 2020. Favorable conditions and positive discrimination are applied to women in grant and low-interest loan programs to increase their participation in agriculture and the workforce.
30,000 TRY Grant Project for Women Farmers
Under the Young Farmer Project, the government offers non-repayable grants of up to 30,000 TRY. Eligible activities for this grant include greenhouse cultivation, seedling production, mushroom production, small ruminant and cattle breeding, beekeeping, and silkworm production. To date, 7,000 women farmers who applied to the Young Farmer Project have received grant support. In addition, the ministry provided a total of 42 cattle to seven women farmers.
Alongside Young Farmer support, KOSGEB also provides important loans aimed at women farmers. Grants and loan rates for women starting new businesses or expanding existing ones are often higher compared with men. For example, while a man eligible for a 50,000 TRY grant might be able to use around 60% of the grant rate, for women this rate is set at a minimum of 70%. KOSGEB loans cannot be used for animal purchases but can finance packaging, preparing products for sale, and purchasing necessary materials and equipment. Within the Entrepreneurship Development Support Program, applications to KOSGEB are evaluated according to the project. Traditional agricultural projects can receive up to 60,000 TRY, while projects meeting more advanced entrepreneurship conditions can receive support up to 360,000 TRY.
Animal Purchase Support for Women Farmers
As part of the grants provided to women farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry offers animal purchase support. Women producers participating in GAP, KOP, and DOKAP projects can receive 50% non-repayable grants for barn construction and up to 80% non-repayable support for purchases such as breeding animals, bulls, rams, or bucks.
Applications must be submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry within the scope of the relevant project. After determining that the project is eligible in the targeted area, grant support is provided to women farmers at the stated rates. Applicants must be registered with the Farmer Registration System (ÇKS) in order to be eligible.
Agricultural Incentives for Housewives
Housewives are also eligible for agricultural incentives, including grants and loans. Projects prepared under the Rural Development Support Program (TKDK) aim to involve housewives and non-working women in production activities. To qualify, women must develop projects that are agricultural in nature. If these criteria are met, women can benefit from grants of up to 80%.
Applicants must be female and members of Agricultural Credit Cooperatives or relevant unions. The ministry also supports women in activities such as vermicompost production, fisheries, and silkworm cultivation. Silkworm breeding, particularly encouraged in current programs, can receive grants up to 100% of eligible costs.
In summary, the main grant and loan areas available to women include:
- Rural tourism projects,
- Family-run enterprises and market-oriented projects,
- Poultry, cattle and small ruminant husbandry, and silkworm breeding,
- Floristry, cereal cultivation, aromatic plants, food legumes, fruit production, forage crops, and protected cultivation,
- Woodworking, weaving, and basketry, among other sectors.
Women who meet the eligibility criteria should apply to the ministry or KOSGEB.