Turkey allocates 265 million lira to protect great bustard population

The Agriculture and Rural Development Support Institution (TKDK) is providing 265 million lira in grants to support 148 projects aimed at protecting and increasing the population of the great bustard (Otis tarda). This initiative is part of the IPARD-III Program's Agriculture-Environment-Climate and Organic Agriculture Measure.

As the only EU candidate country to implement this specific measure following accreditation from the European Commission in May 2017, Turkey aims to support sustainable rural development through eco-friendly practices. This year marks the first time activities specifically focused on biodiversity conservation are being implemented under this program.

In Polatlı, pilot projects are underway where farmers plant specific forage crops preferred by the great bustard. To support the birds' feeding and breeding habitats, these crops are left unharvested. This approach is designed to protect the population of the species, which is one of the largest flying birds in the world and is currently at risk of extinction.