"KAGIDER and Migros Launch 'Women Entrepreneur Development and Acceleration Program in Agriculture'"
The 'Women Entrepreneur Development and Acceleration Program in Agriculture,' organized in collaboration with KAGİDER and Migros, took place in Istanbul this year for the fifth time. From the 43 women entrepreneurs participating in a two-day camp, selected from 24 different provinces, those chosen will benefit from a year-long mentorship support after participating in intensive training programs.
Migros will offer all entrepreneurs who produce in accordance with quality standards the opportunity to sell their products in stores across Turkey. Additionally, Mimeda, Migros’s media subsidiary, will provide promotional support to the first five women producers who will have the opportunity to sell their products at Migros.
The 'Women Entrepreneur Development and Acceleration Program in Agriculture', aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector and realized through the collaboration of Migros and KAGİDER (Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey), has been held for five years and took place in Istanbul this year. The two-day camp covered a wide range of topics, from digital agriculture and finance to food safety and branding processes, with 43 women entrepreneurs who have been operating in the agricultural sector for at least one and up to three years from 24 different provinces of Turkey.
On the first day of the camp, after the opening speeches, panels on Digital Agriculture & Good Examples and Finance, Grants, and Incentives were held. Managers from Migros and Macrocenter gave presentations on the topics of Opportunities at Migros (Purchasing Criteria, Innovative Products) and Process Design & General Perspective in Marketing. On the second day, experts in the field shared detailed information with women entrepreneurs in sessions titled Digital Agriculture, Branding, Quality Processes, Selling Products to Migros & Experience Sharing, and Entrepreneurial Journey.
Dilara Koçak, a Member of the Board of KAGİDER, emphasized the importance of women entrepreneurs' role in the transformation of the agricultural sector and their contributions to sustainable development during her opening speech: “Our ‘Women Entrepreneur Development and Acceleration in Agriculture’ program, celebrating its fifth year in collaboration with Migros, has become a powerful platform that increases the visibility of women entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector, empowers them, and provides the necessary tools for building a more sustainable future. Our program not only offers women entrepreneurs the opportunity to improve their competencies and grow their businesses but also directs them towards innovative areas such as digitalization in agriculture. Over the past five years, we have witnessed that women are not only producers but also change leaders. Entrepreneurs adopting sustainable agricultural techniques and developing innovative approaches continue to make a difference locally and globally. This year, by hosting 43 women entrepreneurs from 24 different cities at the Agriculture Camp, we will be part of their success stories. Having more women at the decision-making table in a strategic sector like agriculture significantly contributes not only to economic development but also to rural development and equal opportunities objectives. Today, looking at the entrepreneurial stories that this program has produced, we see dozens of success stories that are a great source of pride for all of us. We will continue to work with determination to achieve more in the coming years and multiply these successes.”
Beyza Beyzade Berkol, another Board Member of KAGİDER, pointed out that building a sustainable future is a shared responsibility: “The agricultural sector plays a key role in ensuring environmental, economic, and social balance, forming the foundation of a sustainable future. The 'Women Entrepreneur Development and Acceleration Program in Agriculture,' now in its fifth year, has become a pioneering platform that brings the strength and creativity of women entrepreneurs into the sector, providing a new perspective on agriculture. The projects of the entrepreneurs not only remain limited to sustainable agricultural practices but also create groundbreaking impacts in areas such as environmental awareness, social development, and efficient resource use. They are particularly leading the way towards a greener, more conscious, and resilient future in the agricultural sector by transforming production processes through innovative methods like digital agriculture. Sustainability is not a goal but a continuous journey. This year, by bringing together 43 women entrepreneurs from 24 different cities, we will continue to work together for a stronger agricultural ecosystem with their leadership and solutions. The vision and courage of women inspire all of us for a more livable world.”
In his speech at the event, Ekmel Baydur, Executive Board Member responsible for Marketing at Migros Group, stated, “As Migros, we not only provide training and mentorship support to women entrepreneurs but also connect them with consumers in our stores across Turkey, showcasing their products that meet quality standards.” He added, “Seeing that our 'Women Entrepreneur Development and Acceleration Program' in its fifth year is developing projects that contribute to the transformation of our female entrepreneurs in the sector and writing a success story that spreads from local to national is a great source of pride for us.” Baydur emphasized the critical importance of empowering women entrepreneurs and increasing their roles in the agricultural sector for sustainable development, stating, “The program we created with KAGİDER offers a platform that supports our women entrepreneurs’ participation in the economy not only as producers but also as leaders who develop innovative and sustainable solutions. Through this program, we aim to equip our entrepreneurs with skills across a wide range from financial literacy to digital agriculture, branding to food safety. Today, as we witness the success stories of women entrepreneurs, we are very pleased to see them leading towards a more sustainable and efficient future. This approach supports local development and provides women producers with the opportunity to access the national market. In the coming years, we will continue to stand by our women entrepreneurs to increase their participation in economic life and shape the future of the agricultural sector together. We will also provide promotional support to the first five women producers who will have the opportunity to sell their products at Migros through our retail media subsidiary Mimeda.”