​Bekir PAKDEMİRLİ (PhD), Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, has pointed out that Turkey has no deficiency in total protein production and said "It would be better if we prefer eating fish, chicken, and turkey meat rather than red meat.

A festival themed "Fish can be eaten also in Ankara" was organized by the Ministry in cooperation with Ankara University Aquaculture Research and Application Center in the Faculty of Agriculture.

PAKDEMİRLİ (PhD) has started his speech with these words: I have brought you the salute of the biggest fisherman, His Excellency, Mr. President,  Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

PAKDEMİRLİ (PhD) has expressed that he loves eating fish so much that he can eat fish more than twice a week.  He has also said:

"There is an issue we talk about a lot in Turkey, and this issue is meat export.  We have imported 60-100 thousand tons of meat annually so far. Although it seems that we do not need much, there has been a decline in the number of the livestock recently in Turkey indeed.

Turkey has no deficiency in total protein production. It would be better if we prefer eating fish, chicken, and turkey meat rather than red meat.

Turkish people consumed 6 kilos of meat per person in 2002, now they eat 15 kilos but it is also important to consider the dimension of health. We should consume less red meat but more white meat. So, we'd prefer to eat fish rather than meat. Dietitians also recommend so.

"WE SHOULD INCREASE SEAFOOD EXPORT FROM 1 BILLION DOLLARS TO 2 BILLION DOLLARS"

PAKDEMİRLİ (PhD) has indicated that it is required to increase fish export from 1 billion dollars to 2 billion dollars and added: "It is possible, I guess. We can make Turkey the fish base of the World via aggressive strategy. I have given the instructions for increasing our aquaculture production which is 280 thousand tons today to 600 thousand tons until 2023.  If we continue working hard like this, we can reach 600 thousand tons earlier than 2023.  We consumed 6-7 kilos of fish in 2002. This is the same number for the meat consumption. However, fish consumption has decreased to 5,5 kilos today. That means, we should consume more fish from now on again. If we are looking for both taste and health at the same time, then we must certainly increase our fish consumption.  

He has also told that his wife has started eating fish with his efforts. He said: "It is possible to cook fish at home not only at the restaurants. We should eat more fish everywhere.

PAKDEMİRLİ (PhD)  has also reminded that everyone must always obey the fishing ban, and he has given presents to the Ottoman Mehter Band of the Palace Accessible Wellness Center as well.