Status: ON-GOING

Project Duration: September 2023- September 2024

Challenge

Following last year’s mega fires in the Marmaris region, beekeeping activities and related agricultural development areas have been adversely affected. This project is a follow up proposal to demonstrate a sustainable production model as a solution to the restoration of natural habitat and local agricultural development with best practices.

Solution

The project aims to create an educational community and raise awareness about the medicinal properties of bee friendly plants and products. It will develop a course curriculum brochure to train plant collectors, primarily women, in selected regions, to help support beekeeper families. The project will also request the Ministry of National Education to offer a vocational course through Public Education Centers. Additionally, an inventory of honey and medicinal plants will be prepared to better understand the region’s biodiversity. Information will be gathered to support a return to traditional village economies based on traditional multiple agriculture using modern methods.

Project’s deliverables

• Establishing herbal gardens (medicinal aromatic plants grown with holistic methods) as bee pastures at four locations in Marmaris.
• Ensuring fair and sustainable herbal production through training and field meetings.
• Conducting training modules for primary school students in the sample garden at the school.
• Placing 10 hives in forest land and placing observation hives in schools to strengthen children’s connection with beekeeping and promote good ecological practices.
• Expanding the influence of the Marmaris Agricultural Ecological Development Cooperative at the Tuesday market, communication with cooperative customers.

About the organisation: Marmaris Ecological Agricultural Development  a cooperative established mainly by women, with the aim of supporting producers and engaging in various activities. The cooperative focuses on supporting local producers in Marmaris and aims to ensure access to clean and healthy food for consumers.