Turkey is investing 54.5 million euros in the protection of local breeds and the development of animal husbandry.

The Ministry of Agriculture of Turkey claims that the preservation of the local Anatolian breeds is the most valuable investment in the future of agriculture. The institution reports that a total of 2.7 billion liras (54.5 million euros) have been secured for livestock projects. State aid increases production efficiency and guarantees local genetic resources. Support for the breeding of small ruminants is applied to 1.29 million animals in 205 sub-projects in 50 provinces. Each year, farms are provided with 38,400 ewes and 11,700 does. Since 2005, over 2 billion liras (40.3 million euros) in support have been provided, and 33 local breeds of small ruminants have been placed under protection. A growth in productivity has also been recorded in the breeding of Anatolian buffaloes. Through a project implemented for 40,538 buffaloes in 2,800 farms in 18 provinces, since 2011, support of 619 million liras (12.5 million euros) has been provided. Thus, the buffalo population has increased ...