As a research institute, we are seeking partners to collaborate with on the second topic of the call for proposals on agricultural ecology.

Van Agricultural Research Institute is a public research organisation conducting research and development (R&D) activities in plant and animal production, with a strong focus on the ecological and socio-economic conditions of Eastern Anatolia. The Institute aims to enhance the sustainability, productivity, and resilience of regional agricultural systems through applied research, innovation, and field-oriented implementation. The Institute’s R&D portfolio covers a wide range of thematic areas, including crop production, livestock systems, forage crops, soil and water management, and sustainable agricultural practices. These activities are closely linked to on-farm trials, demonstration plots, and extension-oriented research, ensuring the effective transfer of scientific knowledge and innovative solutions to local farmers. Van Agricultural Research Institute plays a key role in supporting regional farmers by providing technical assistance, applied training, and access to innovation-driven investment and development projects. Through collaboration with public authorities, universities, civil society organisations, and private-sector stakeholders, the Institute contributes to the development and implementation of projects that strengthen value chains, improve farm-level performance, and promote sustainable rural development. A strategic priority of the Institute is its active collaboration with women’s cooperatives. By working closely with women-led producer organisations, the Institute supports women’s participation in agricultural production, processing, and marketing activities. These collaborations focus on capacity building, skills development, and the technical strengthening of women-led agro-food initiatives, thereby contributing to increased employment opportunities, inclusive entrepreneurship, and gender equality in rural areas. Overall, Van Agricultural Research Institute brings strong scientific expertise, field-based implementation capacity, and stakeholder engagement experience to project consortia, with particular added value in farmer-oriented innovation, applied R&D, and cooperative-based approaches that empower women and support sustainable agricultural transitions.