Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) has initiated a groundbreaking ‘Veterinary Services Project’ aimed at bolstering rural development and supporting small family farms across Turkey. This initiative, a first of its kind in the country, will cover a portion of veterinary expenses for eligible producers. Applications for the project are currently open and will be accepted until April 1, 2026.
Project Details and Eligibility Criteria
The project, a collaborative effort between ABB and the Ankara Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons, is designed to provide financial relief to livestock breeders. Producers who own between 1 and 20 large ruminants or 1 and 200 small ruminants are eligible to apply. This targeted approach ensures that the support reaches those who need it most within the rural agricultural sector.
Services Covered and Financial Support
Under the ‘Veterinary Services Project,’ eligible livestock breeders will receive financial assistance for a range of veterinary services. These include, but are not limited to, artificial insemination, vaccinations, medication, medicated treatments, and surgical interventions. A portion of the cost for these services, rendered by independent veterinary surgeons in the districts, will be covered by the Metropolitan Municipality.
The financial support will be disbursed twice a year and loaded onto the producers’ Başkent Cards. Hasan Hüseyin Karakuş, Branch Manager of Animal Husbandry Services at the ABB Rural Services Department, emphasized the project’s goal: “Our aim is to sustain production, contribute to agricultural output, and enable breeders to earn more income.”
Application Process and Project Objectives
Producers interested in benefiting from this project can submit their applications online via the official website, https://baskenttarim.ankara.bel.tr/, until April 1, 2026. The application process is streamlined to ensure ease of access for all eligible participants.
Karakuş further highlighted the significance of the project, stating, “We are covering a certain portion of the costs for services such as vaccinations, medicated treatments, medicines, and artificial insemination received by our breeders from independent veterinary surgeons in the districts. We will make payments to the breeders’ Başkent Cards twice a year. After receiving the service from the veterinary surgeon, breeders will make their payments from their Başkent Cards.”
The project underscores ABB’s commitment to rural development and its innovative approach to supporting the agricultural community. By alleviating the financial burden of veterinary care, the municipality aims to foster a more sustainable and profitable environment for livestock breeders in Ankara.
