Mainstreaming Biodiversity in TurkeyDr. İsa ÖZKAN, Head of Field Crops Research Department, TurkeyRoma, Italy, 20 January 2015

Mainstreaming biodiversity conservation and sustainable use for improved human

nutrition and wellbeing

The work underway to analyze the priority species in Turkey

Review of existing data available to determine the baseline status of community biodiversity for food and nutrition, dietary diversity and traditional knowledge

43 species were prioritized using the criteria as below:

• potential nutritional/health benefits• market opportunities• threatened status• endemism• current information on agro-biodiversity

Dissemination of food composition and consumption data of prioritized species in different platforms will help to

create new market opportunities

raise awareness

influence policy

contribute a positive public perception on healthy diets through consumption of wild species

• DRAFT GUIDELINES FOR MAINSTREAMING BIODIVERSITY INTO POLICIES, PROGRAMMES AND NATIONAL AND REGIONAL PLANS OF ACTION ON NUTRITION

The activities of this project are included

in this guidelines:

• Research

• Implementation

• awareness

Full nutrient profiles (macro and micronutrient and antioxidant activity) are almost finalized and will be published in the Turkish food composition databases on biodiversity and in the national food composition table

Results will help to promote locally available nutritionally rich foods

Compositional value of prioritized species will enable researchers, nutritionists to prepare healthy and diversified diets through consumption of nutrient-dense foods

Research

Surveys were carried out to document information on the consumption of wild edibles, preparation and cooking methods at the village and household level

Surveys results will be shared with relevant stakeholders in different platforms

Mainstream biodiversity in national food consumption surveys through Collaboration with national partners (Ministry of Health, Association of Turkish Dieticians)

Research

• A web portal will be established which include food composition information and associated traditional knowledge generated by the project to support scientific research and political decision-making

• Special events related to biodiversity for food and agriculture such as fairs, festivals have been and will continue to be organized with many other organizations (Alacati Culture and Art Association, Foca Slow Food and Association of Siyez Producers)

• Research results will be disseminated within the scientific communities of nutrition, agriculture and health through, for example, conferences, scientific articles, and guidance document

Awareness Raising

• Marketing and domestification of some of the priority species

• Develop regulations and incentive for smallholders to grow biodiverse species in a sustainable manner

• Support marketing system for the inclusion of biodiverse food

• Interlinkage with different projects

• To have nutrition objectives in breeding

• At the end we would like to preserve biodiversity by using and producing it in sustainable manner.

Implementation

Herbs and children