Presentation given by Dr. İsa ÖZKAN, Head of Field Crops Research Department, Turkey, at the side event ' Mainstreaming biodiversity for improved human nutrition and well-being: moving from global initiatives to local action' on the occasion of the 15th Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Rome, Italy - January 20th 2015 Find out more about the initiative here: http://www.bioversityinternational.org/research-portfolio/diet-diversity/biodiversity-for-food-and-nutrition/ Visit the B4FN website: http://www.b4fn.org/home.html

1. Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Turkey
Dr. İsa ÖZKAN, Head of Field Crops Research Department, Turkey
Roma, Italy, 20 January 2015

2. Mainstreaming biodiversity conservation
and sustainable use for improved human
nutrition and wellbeing

4. 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

5. 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

6. • 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

7. 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

8.  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

9. • 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

10. • 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

11. Herbs and children