17
production stage, lack of infrastructure including storage facilities are hindering factors to achieve
resilient food system in distribution stage, lack of private sector participation is main obstacle in
processing stage, and so on. IsDB has invested nearly USD 5 billion in last 10 years in agriculture
sector to overcome the mentioned issues.
Mr. ER concluded his presentation by mentioning one of the recent and comprehensive programs
of the IDB Group that was Regional Rice Value Chain being implemented mainly in West African
member countries with nearly USD 400 million budget addressing such problems and targeting to
create resilient food systems.
7.3. Pankobirlik
Mr. Arif AKKAYA, Foreign Relations Specialist at the Union of Sugar Beet Growers Cooperatives
(PANKOBİRLİK) presented the PANKOBİRLİK’s food system model.
At the beginning, Mr. AKKAYA briefly summarized the role played by the PANOBİRLİK in
agriculture and food sytems with some figures and examples. He pointed out that PANKOBİRLİK
is an organisation including nearly 1.5 million farmers and the main aim of the cooperatives
union is enhancing the wealthy of these farmers.
Mr. AKKAYA informed participants about PANKOBİRLİK’s food system model particularly
focusing on Production, Planning, Industry and affiliates, branding, international memberships,
university and the environment aspects. Mr. AKKAYA highlighted that PANKOBİRLİK’s
environment friendly production model was based on zero waste principle. He also pointed out
the crucial role of branding in creating added value and wide product range as a result of
rotations of crops.
He concluded his presentation by inviting all of the participations to PANKOBİRLİK’s headquarter
to share further information and to discuss the possible cooperation opportunities with the OIC
Member Countries.