The Izmir Agriculture Development Center (IZTAM), affiliated with the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, provides training for all age groups from 5 to 80 on combating drought, sustainable agriculture and a life in harmony with nature. The young people who received training on many subjects from soilless agriculture to greenhouse farming, from heirloom seeds to solar panels at the center, which contributes to the development of young farmers, expressed their unforgettable experiences and awareness.
Within the scope of the incentives of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay for combating drought and raising conscious young farmers for sustainable agriculture, the trainings for children and young people at Izmir Agriculture Development Center (IZTAM) have been increased. Established on 16 thousand acres of land and serving under the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Agricultural Services Department, IZTAM primarily provides trainings on climate crisis and drought, while children and young people are introduced to soil for the first time.
Training on agriculture and combating drought
The trainings are given by agricultural engineers of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality in certain periods. The young people who receive both theoretical and practical training are informed about how products are grown from soil to table. The young people are informed about many subjects such as the effects of climate crisis, solar panels, rain harvesting, soilless greenhouses, weather forecasting devices, heirloom seeds, organic farming, sustainable farming, mushroom farming, water saving, greenhouse farming, insect hotel and have the opportunity to observe the areas and units in the center.
“We aim to spread the training to all of Izmir”
Providing information about the center and the ongoing studies, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Agricultural Education R&D and Coordination Branch Manager Murat Altun stated that there are production greenhouses and research parcels in the area and said, “We are carrying out activities to develop İzmir agriculture. We provide trainings for different age groups, primarily primary, secondary and higher education in İZTAM. In addition, we host our producers and farmers here, explain to them production disciplines, the negative effects of climate change, and our studies on the correct use of water with the theme of one person, one health, and carry out our educational activities. We also provide practical trainings. We carry out studies such as seedling planting, seed identification, and biogeography laboratory. Under the leadership of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay, we aim to spread both production and educational activities throughout İzmir.”
New farmers are growing step by step
Stating that they provide agricultural education from the age of 5 to 80 at İZTAM, agricultural engineer Eylül Adıgüzel, who works at the Agricultural Services Department, said, “We do not only provide education to a certain group. We aim to reach every group. We aim to raise children’s awareness of nature and teach them nature-based sustainable agriculture. We provide agricultural training to those who have not been able to grow anything so far, allowing them to make a new start. Agricultural training creates great awareness, especially among young people. In this way, they actually become aware of a new profession. We think that our new farmers are being trained step by step.”
“I was not aware of it before I came here.”
Girls' vocational high school students who attended the trainings at İZTAM stated that they were impressed by the experience they had and that they became aware of many issues related to the climate crisis and agriculture. The young people conveyed their experiences with the following words;
Mina Yenihan: “This is the first time I have encountered such a training. Learning new things like this creates new experiences. Everyone should participate in the trainings here. Because the climate problem is everyone’s problem. Everyone should be informed. My future is in danger with the climate crisis. It is very bad that plants are affected by climate change. Without plants, we would not be able to breathe, and our nutrition would deteriorate. I was not aware of these problems before I came here. I knew we had problems, but I had not contributed. I have become more aware, I will be more careful about the damage I am doing to the environment.”
“We should be more intertwined with nature”
Esra Mülhüm: “I think the trainings are very necessary. Since we live in buildings, we do not know how plants grow, develop, or what they are good for us. We do not know how to treat them. Thanks to these trainings, I think we can understand plants better. The area that caught my attention the most in the center was the area where beneficial insects are raised. They have built an insect hotel for beneficial insects such as bees and worms. We should be more in touch with nature.”
“Agriculture is very important for the continuation of the human race”
Beren Akkuş: “The trainings are very nice. This place is also a source of breath. We received very nice trainings. We covered all the processes in detail about how plants have senses, how they grow and how they develop. Agriculture is very important for the continuation of the human race, and our development is also very important. I liked the vineyards the most here.”
“I think that such agricultural areas should be increased”
İlayda Ertürk: “The trainings here, the centers like this, need to be increased. Because I think they contribute a lot to our lives. We live in cities, we don’t have oxygen inside buildings. The thing that caught my attention the most here is the insect hotel. It was very interesting.”
