24.10.2026 10:21
Sueda Demirci, 25, living in Balıkesir, became her own boss in sheep farming, which she started with a 100,000-lira grant provided by the state. The young entrepreneur, who first bought 50 sheep and 2 rams, increased her flock to about 150 animals. Demirci also bought herself a car with the income she earned from livestock farming.
Sueda Demirci, a 25-year-old veterinary technician living in the Altıeylül district of Balıkesir, achieved significant success in a short time in sheep farming, which she started with government support. The young farmer, whose photo President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan shared as part of the grant promotion program, now raises approximately 150 breeding sheep and lambs.
STARTED WITH 50 SHEEP AND INCREASED HER FLOCK TO 150 Demirci, who continues livestock farming with her family in Aslıhantepecik Neighborhood, applied in 2022 to the Rural Development Expert Hands Project, carried out under the Rural Development Supports. With her project “Sheep Breeding and Fattening” accepted, Demirci became entitled to receive 100,000 lira in grant support. Under the support, Demirci bought 50 sheep and 2 rams and grew her business over time.
BOUGHT A CAR WITH THE MONEY SHE EARNED At the enterprise, which today has approximately 150 breeding sheep and lambs, the geographical indication registered Balıkesir lamb is raised. Demirci, who also transfers to her business the knowledge and experience she has in livestock farming due to being a veterinary technician, continues to grow her flock with her family's support. Aiming to further develop the livestock farming she started with government support, Demirci also bought herself a vehicle with the income she obtained from the animals she raised.
Demirci aims both to contribute to production and to take her own business further by growing the livestock activity she started with small support.
MADE A CALL TO YOUNG PEOPLE Expressing that she has been involved in this work since childhood, Sueda Demirci said, “I have been involved in this work since my childhood. As a family, we are engaged in farming and livestock raising. We previously had cattle. Even while going to school, I was taking care of our animals. In other words, I grew up constantly involved in this work.”
Demirci, who said she learned about the grant support provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in 2022 under the Expert Hands Project and applied for the project, spoke as follows: “I qualified by participating in the grant program. Thanks to this project, we bought our sheep and began to form our own flock. Over time, our flock grew and we began to earn financial income from this work. We even bought ourselves a car with the income we earned. Thank God, we are happy with where we have come today. I especially advise my young friends to follow such projects. They should constantly follow the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's websites, social media accounts, and provincial and district directorates. They will definitely find a project suitable for themselves. Just as it provided us with the opportunity to have a job and profession, it can also open the way for other young people.”
Stating that they currently have approximately 150 sheep, Demirci said, “We take care of our animals as a family. We are thinking of growing our flock even more. Right now, we work mainly on meat production. By separating our breeding animals, we are gradually growing our flock, and we make our living this way. Thanks to this project, not only economically but also in our lives, very beautiful opportunities have emerged. It was also our fate to attend the iftar program held at the Presidential Complex together with my father. This was a very beautiful and unforgettable memory for us. We do this work with love. We are already a family business, and we work all together. From now on, we want to continue this work until the end of our lives and to grow our flock even more. I especially advise my young friends my age to chase their ideals and turn to agriculture and livestock farming. I believe that after wanting it and putting in effort, beautiful results can be obtained from this work.”