The Fruit and Vegetable Drying Facility, established by the Rural Development Women’s Cooperative with the support of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), was officially opened with a ceremony on Thursday.

Speaking at the opening ceremony held in the village of Yeşilyurt, the President of the Rural Development Women’s Cooperative, Deniz Solyalı, provided information about their activities and projects.

Solyalı expressed their goal of increasing the added value of local products and accessing different markets.

Serkan Kayalar, the President of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, highlighted that TİKA has implemented over 150 projects in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and emphasized that this project was the first of its kind in the country.

Kayalar emphasized the importance they attach to empowering women and increasing their welfare.

Mayor Aziz Kaya of Lefke highlighted that the facility would contribute to turning the rich product potential in Lefke into added value.

Kaya expressed their support for this exemplary project.

Economy and Energy Minister Olgun Amcaoğlu wished that the project, where women contribute to the country’s economy while producing, to set an example and continue.

Amcaoğlu also emphasized the importance of the country’s fresh fruit and vegetable products reaching larger and more distant markets, providing added value.

Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources Hüseyin Çavuş highlighted the significance of cooperatives.

Çavuş mentioned that they provide support of ₺2000 per acre for tropical fruit cultivation in the Lefke region and indicated that their support for product diversity would continue in the upcoming period.

First Lady Sibel Tatar, who also attended the event, underscored the importance of supporting production-related activities and particularly bringing women into economic life.

Tatar expressed her best wishes for this facility created by women producers to contribute to the economy and to develop in the future, transitioning from product import to export.

Following the speeches, the opening was officially conducted.

After the opening, a visit was carried out to the 4K COOP Social Development Centre in Cengizköy, created with support from TİKA.