Ermenek Agricultural Academy School of Medicinal Aromatic Plants Project is an initiative initiated for the conservation and on-site cultivation of more than 400 medicinal and aromatic plants in the Ermenek region. The seeds of the plant varieties that remained under the water of the dam to be built in the region were collected and cultured on the lands in the higher codes. The project was established by Tabider Agricultural Awareness Association with the contributions of Vodafone Foundation and Ermenek Municipality and aims to increase agricultural awareness by providing information to farmers about medicinal and aromatic plant varieties, collection periods and marketing.

Ermenek Agriculture Academy School of Medicinal Aromatic Plants Project aims to protect biodiversity by preventing the risk of loss of medicinal and aromatic plant varieties in the region. At the same time, it aims to increase economic sustainability by providing farmers with conscious agricultural production and marketing skills. The project is an important agricultural initiative that improves agricultural awareness and supports environmental and economic sustainability in the Ermenek region, with the correct cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants, training given to farmers and local participation.

What is the problem?

Inundation of medicinal and aromatic plants: Some medicinal and aromatic plants are at risk of being submerged due to the dam to be built in the Ermenek region. This can lead to the disappearance of rare vegetal varieties.

Decrease in plant varieties: Plant varieties grown in flooded areas may decrease, threatening the biodiversity of the region.

Lack of agricultural knowledge: The farmers in the region do not have enough information about the collection, cultivation and marketing of medicinal and aromatic plants.

Economic sustainability: Inappropriate utilization of medicinal and aromatic plants can adversely affect economic sustainability and reduce the incomes of local farmers.

Social, Economic and Environmental Impact of the Problem

Social Impacts:

Conservation of cultural heritage: Local cultural heritage and knowledge are at risk of extinction as medicinal and aromatic plants become submerged. With the implementation of this project, it is aimed to protect local cultural values.

Increasing community awareness: Within the scope of the project, informing farmers about the importance and protection of medicinal and aromatic plants contributes to increasing community awareness and making local farmers more sensitive to this issue.

Economic Impacts:

Creating new income sources: The project aims to create new income sources by cultivating medicinal and aromatic plants on site and marketing these plants. This positively affects the economic situation of local farmers.

Revival of the local economy: With the realization of the economic value of medicinal and aromatic plants, it is expected that agricultural activities and trade in the region will revive. This contributes to the local economy.

Environmental Effects:

Conservation of biodiversity: In situ cultivation and seed collection of medicinal and aromatic plants included in the project will be an important step towards the conservation of biodiversity.

Sustainable agricultural practices: Sustainable agricultural practices to be applied for the cultivation and harvesting of medicinal and aromatic plants with the right methods contribute to the spread of environmentally friendly agriculture.

Naturally, Our Solution Strategy

Technology and Innovation: To follow the latest technological developments in the agricultural sector, to offer innovative solutions to increase farmers' productivity and production quality, and to facilitate their access to these technologies.

Training and Knowledge Transfer: Organizing training and information programs for farmers, agronomists and the community, disseminating agricultural best practices and sharing agricultural knowledge and experience.

Sustainability and Environmentally Friendly Approach: To support environmentally friendly methods in agricultural production, to encourage water and energy savings, and to focus on the protection of soil and water resources.

Market Access and Trade Supports: To help farmers reach wider markets, develop their trade and marketing strategies, and ensure their inclusion in the value chain.

Collaborations and Partnerships: Collaborating with universities, non-governmental organizations, private sector and government institutions to develop and disseminate more effective and inclusive solutions.

Rural Development and Community Participation: To support the economic development of communities living in rural areas and to shape agricultural solutions in accordance with the needs of the society with a participatory approach.

The Difference of Our Solution Strategy

Participatory Approach: We focus on the needs of farmers and shape our solutions together with them. With a participatory approach, we encourage the active participation of farmers and offer customized solutions.

Technology and Innovation Focus: We believe in the power of technology and innovation in agriculture. We offer farmers more effective and efficient production methods by using the latest agricultural technologies.

Sustainability and Environmentally Friendly Approach: We attach importance to protecting natural resources by making our solutions environmentally friendly and sustainable. We harmonize agricultural production with environmentally friendly practices.

Our Goals

• To increase the income of regional farmers and to promote agricultural diversity by cultivating medicinal and aromatic plants on site.
• To raise awareness and educate regional farmers about medicinal and aromatic plant varieties, collection periods and marketing.
• To increase the agricultural potential of the Ermenek region, to promote sustainable agricultural practices and to contribute to economic development.

Tabit's work

• Detection of medicinal and aromatic plants in the Ermenek region and collecting their seeds from flooded areas.
• Providing training and consultancy services to farmers for on-site cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants.
• Efforts to provide farmers with knowledge and skills on the collection, processing and marketing of medicinal and aromatic plants in appropriate periods and forms.
• Carrying out the organizational work required for the establishment and management of Ermenek Agricultural Academy.
• Ensuring cooperation and coordination with the stakeholders supporting the project.
• Carrying out regular evaluation and reporting processes to increase the sustainability and effectiveness of the project.
• Effective communication and publication activities are carried out in order to share the data and experiences obtained in the project and to set an example for the farmers in similar regions.

Dissemination studies

Media Relations: We provide news and interviews in local and national media by organizing press releases, press releases and media events about our project.

Social Media: We interact with our stakeholders and target audience by actively promoting our project on social media platforms. We regularly share content and organize campaigns on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Website and Blogs: By creating a website specific to our project, we explain the goals, progress and achievements of our project. We also create knowledge and awareness with blog posts on agriculture and the environment.

Events and Workshops: Thanks to the events and workshops we organize regarding our project, we communicate face-to-face with our stakeholders and strengthen cooperation.

Brochures and Flyers: We prepare brochures and flyers promoting our project and distribute them at local venues and events.

Communication Network: We regularly share news and information about our project with local governments, non-governmental organizations, universities and other stakeholders and strengthen cooperation.

Printed Publications: We print reports, brochures and magazines about our project and work and distribute them to our stakeholders and target audience.

Economic Sustainability

• We generate income by processing the medicinal and aromatic plants grown in the region, turning them into value-added products and marketing them.
• Established within the scope of the project, the Agricultural Academy generates income by organizing specialization trainings and certificate programs, and we offer our expertise for sale.
• Thanks to the pioneering and successful project, we ensure its sustainability by receiving support from local and international funds.

Project SDG Impacts

SDG 1 - Ending poverty: The project contributes to poverty reduction by increasing the income of farmers in the region.

SDG 2 - End hunger: The project supports efforts to reduce hunger by increasing productivity and increasing diversity in agricultural production.

SDG 3 - Good health and well-being: The cultivation and use of medicinal and aromatic plants can improve health and well-being.

SDG 8 - Sustainable economic growth: The project contributes to economic growth through agricultural production and marketing activities.

SDG 12 - Sustainable consumption and production: The project promotes sustainable consumption and production by supporting the conservation and efficient use of natural resources.

SDG 15 - Protection of terrestrial habitats: The project contributes to the protection of natural habitats of medicinal and aromatic plants growing in the region.

SDG 17 - Global partnerships: The project promotes global partnerships and contributes to knowledge sharing by collaborating with local and international organizations.