Pregnant and In-Calf Heifer Project Supports Female Entrepreneurs in Kayseri

In Türkiye, as part of our Livelihood Restoration Program, we developed an In-Calf Heifer Project to support local women entrepreneurs and provide alternative income opportunities. In the Kayseri District, livestock farming and agriculture is a critical industry for the economic livelihoods of communities. At the project’s outset, 12 women animal breeders were selected to participate.

Providing Capacity Building to Female Animal Breeders

The project was jointly funded by Öksüt and local entrepreneurs. To support the project, local government agencies, including the District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, provided training resources and technical support to the selected program participants, including managing the feasibility, supply, health control, feed and silage delivery, insurance and training processes.

The project has a five-year duration, and monitoring activity will be reported to Öksüt every six months. To support the female breeders, maintenance, feeding and other expenses were donated by manufacturers of these products. Over the duration of the project, the sale of existing heifers and any female calves born from these heifers has and will continue to be prohibited. In this way, we support continuous capacity increases.

Income Generation Opportunities

It is estimated that each heifer will be able to generate annual income of US$3,000 for the female breeders, which considers both the milk produced and the value of the calf itself. Due to the program’s structure, the project will be self-sustaining and will not require Öksüt’s continued financial support.