TİKA Continues to Support Agricultural Production in Croatia

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has upgraded the production line with new machinery and installed labeling-enabled packaging and bottling equipment as part of the “Fruit and Vegetable Juice and Jam Production Line Development Project,” carried out in collaboration with the Association of Agro-Tourism in Lepoglava, Croatia.

The opening ceremony of the project was attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Zagreb, Hayriye Nurdan Erpulat Altuntaş; TİKA’s Vice President, Dr. Mahmut Çevik; Lepoglava Mayor, Marijan Škvarić; representatives from the Agricultural Tourism Association and other local associations; officials from public institutions in Lepoglava; and TİKA representatives.

In her speech, Ambassador Altuntaş remarked, “The project implemented by TİKA serves as an exemplary initiative, not only for its economic impact on the region but also for its role in empowering women.”

TİKA’s Vice President Dr. Mahmut Çevik highlighted that TİKA has implemented numerous projects, particularly in agriculture, across the Balkans and Eastern Europe, emphasizing agriculture’s vital role in economic development. He noted that the project in Lepoglava is a continuation of previous initiatives and expressed satisfaction with the local community’s ownership of the project. Dr. Çevik further stated that the project would support the branding of locally produced goods and enhance the region’s visibility and promotion.

Officials from the Lepoglava Agro-Tourism Association also expressed their gratitude to TİKA and Türkiye for the support provided.

132 Tons of Fruits and Vegetables Processed in TİKA-Supported Production Line

The Fruit and Vegetable Juice Production Line became operational in 2022, followed by the Jam Production Line in 2023. Since then, 132 tons of fruits and vegetables have been processed, resulting in the production of over 69,000 liters/kilos of fruit juice and jam. The range of fruits and vegetables used in production has been expanded to include new products such as ginger, green lemon, tangerine, orange, pomegranate, carrot, beet and ajvar.

The production line in Lepoglava is available to everyone free of charge with no minimum requirement. This initiative has contributed to a rise in agricultural activities and production in the region, leading to a significant increase in local incomes.