August 26, 2025
In the fertile heart of Anatolia, Türkiye, where history meets harvest, every seed carries a story of resilience and renewal. For generations, farming families have worked these lands, and now, a revolution in modern agricultural training is taking root, passing time-honored wisdom to a new generation of farmers.
Murat Maviş and Hüseyin Eren Güneş are two young men from long-established farming families in Adiyaman, southeastern Türkiye. Although their families have made a living from the land for generations, the income from traditional agriculture has become insufficient under today’s conditions, leading to economic hardship.
Zakat Foundation of America recognizes the deep connection between this land and the generations of families who have relied on farming as a way of life. Through our Livelihoods program, we provided practical training on modern and up-to-date agricultural techniques designed to increase yield and address challenges posed by drought and the climate crisis, going beyond traditional farming methods.
Both Murat's and Hüseyin's fathers decided to send their sons to this Agricultural High School, aiming for them to receive training and thereby improve the family’s economic situation. Their goal was not only to secure the present but also to ensure that future generations could continue farming with dignity.
A total of 32 students from farming families are currently enrolled in four classes at the school, directly benefiting from the project. Through this training, they will gain essential knowledge and skills in modern agricultural techniques, positioning them to play a key role in advancing the project’s core goals.
Equipped with the knowledge they gained at the Agricultural High School, Murat and Hüseyin took advantage of their summer break to implement new farming systems on their family farms. In a short time, they achieved a noticeable increase in productivity in their fields. This boost in yield translated into greater income for their families and began to improve their standard of living.
In 2023, 90¢ from each dollar donated went directly toward programs serving those in need. 4¢ went to administrative costs & 6¢ went to fundraising costs.
