Production of hazelnut, which is the feedstock of the chocolate and candy industry, has been extended to many countries in recent years. Turkey is leading position by meeting 70 % of world hazelnut production. According to FAO 2014 data, Turkey is followed by Italy, Georgia, Azerbaijan, USA and Spain, respectively, in terms of major hazelnut producing countries.Italy : It is the second largest hazelnut producing country with production of 100 thousand tons a year on a land area of approximately 70 thousand hectares. Its share in the world production is approximately 10 % (FAO 2014).SPAIN : It is the 2nd largest hazelnut producer in the EU. Spain achieves 2.4 % of the world hazelnut supply with its hazelnut production of 19 thousand tons according to the last five years' average and in addition to this, it imports 11 thousand tons of hazelnut on an average basis annually (INC 2014).Hazelnut production areas have decreased in Spain and Italy as compared to previous years as there is concentration on such areas suitable for hazelnut production. Turkey tries to implement same policy, developing projects and policies to this end. The works in connection with increased quality and efficiency are successful locally though inadequate. The basic strategy of countries in connection with hazelnut production which is also assessed under the EU Common Agricultural Policy is to endeavor to ensure agricultural development and sustainability by obtaining maximum efficiency per unit area. But, as it is noted by the European Union 2014 Progress Report,sector must be assessed integrally as these works prove inadequate. Accordingly, it is highly important to have exchange of best practices and information technologies through cooperation of the hazelnut producers having largest shares in hazelnut production and ensure development of the community countries in a harmonious manner. A strategicpartnership which would be established overhazelnutsector, which enjoys a high commercial value, between Italy, Spain and Turkey would provide significant outputs for the sake of ensuring the supply and demand equilibrium and continuity of quality products in agriculture. For this purpose, the subject of the Project involves the theme that the most fundamental method to obtain maximum efficiency from agricultural areas is that the farmers actually carrying out production attain competence over their professional fields and have necessary equipment. Accordingly, correct and effective agricultural production mechanisms must be developed as cases of best practices must be adopted by the farmers and agricultural engineers providing services to the farmers. As part of the Project activities, there would be comparison of the hazelnut production and production methods in the 3 countries and a joint report would be developed in connection with the hazelnut production. Training would be provided to the relevant agricultural engineers and farmers through the methods developed as a model garden would be established for the purpose of setting a model and making contribution to extension internationally. The Project partners have been selected from among the entities in those regions where hazelnut production is carried out mostly according to their knowledge and experiences as well as their potential contributions to the Project. They comprise: IRTA Research Institute from the Region of Tarragona in Spain where 80 % of hazelnut production is achieved; Tuscia University from the Region of Viterbo in Italy, which ranks first in hazelnut production; and Ordu Governor's Office, which is part of the local top administration organs obligated to implement agricultural policies on a local level, academicians from Ordu University, who are experienced over hazelnut, and Altınordu Agricultural Chamber, which would have a major part in extension efforts. A 44 member Project team comprising 9 academicians, 30 farmers, 2 agricultural engineers and 3 agricultural researcher, who are a governor and a deputy governor, and a Project Coordinator, would be involved in the Project. In this Project which is planned to be developed, professional development of farmers would be ensured under professional training of the strategic partnership as international transfer of cases of best practices and technology would be ensured. The persons involved would develop their language, cultural and professional skills. The entities would have more projects for international implementation as their skills to carry out international organizations would develop. Quality of employment in agriculture would increase by ensuring improvements in the hazelnut sector, which is a major source of livelihood for many farmers. Because the subject of the Project also includes a research and development activity at the same time, the Project targets also make contributions to the targets of increasing R & D investment and augmenting employment opportunities as contained inEU 2020targets
70% of the world hazelnut production is covered by Turkey. Turkey is followed by Italy, Georgia, Azerbaijan, USA, Spain and France, respectively, in terms of major hazelnut producing countries. Based on last works carried out related to hazelnut production, low quality and low efficiency are the most fundamental problem. Product between 150-250 kg is obtained in Italy and Spain while product between 85- 90 kg is obtained in Turkey. Hazelnut quality is measured on the basis of kernel percentage which is the ratio of in-shell hazelnut to kernel hazelnut. Hazelnut quality is change between 50- 60 % kernel persentage but main quality is based on 55 % kernel percentage. The price of hazelnuts develop on the basis of this rate. In Spain and Italy, the best kernel persentage is 40%. As can be seen, the sharing of knowledge and experience will contribute to the holistic development of European Community by achieving significant outputs at the end of the cooperation and work between this three countries. Therefore, this project has been prepared for the improvement of hazelnut cultivation by contributing to the vocational development of farmers and strategic cooperation established between Turkey, İtaly and Spain scope of Erasmus + Strategic partnerships. Goal of this project; to increase the awareness related quality and yield of hazelnut,to provide new models to improve quality and efficiency, to provide receive training in vocational areas of farmer and to conribute their development of cultural cooperation and language skills, to promote entrepreneurship, Ensuring the establishment of strong collaborations to support local development activities by establishing public, NGO, university cooperation,to contribute sharing best practices and to develop cooperation.Activities in the project to achieve targets; Preparatory activities; Informing of the project partners, re-signing of contracts, creating the project team and opening organization were made. Website of the project has been established and social media accounts have been opened.Turkey Mobility Activities; Italian and Spanish farmers joined to the on-the-job training program during 5 days scope of attached program. Workshop were made at the end of program, survey were made to participant and poster were prepared and presented for IX. International Hazelnut Congress with the data obtained.Spain Mobility Activities; Turkish and Italian farmers joined to the on-the-job training program related to hazelnut cultivation in Spain. Workshop were made in the last day of mobility activities and workshop report were prepared. This report has been uploaded Project website.Italy Mobility Activities; Turkish and Spanish farmers joined to the on-the-job training program related to hazelnut cultivation in Italy. Workshop were made in the last day of mobility activities and workshop report were prepared. This report has been uploaded Project website.Installation of modern orchard: An example hazelnut garden established on 5 acre land in Ordu. The orchard will be used both for the research work of the University and for the farmer training programs of agricultural engineers. Dissemination trainings: Training of farmers and agricultural engineers was organized with the participation of participants from Ordu and nearby cities. Project book: Hazelnut cultivation in Europe book was prepared and distributed to the other institutions in four languages (English, Turkish, Italian and Spanish).Also, 4 technical meetings and 3 quality monitoring and evaluation meetings were held during the project period. Altınordu Chamber of Agriculture which is the umbrella organization of farmers, Governorship of Ordu which are the determinants of local policies and head of local governments, Ordu University Faculty of Agriculture which have resources about hazelnut and Ordu Commodity Exchange which is registered the trade and production of hazelnut took part in the project from Turkey. In addition to this, TUSCIA University Faculty of Agriculture which has a research related to hazelnut from Italy and IRTA which has a research related to hazelnut cultivation from Spain participated in the project. Thus, framework was founded with 6 partners. As it is seen, the project partners were selected from the strong institutions in the region that has activities related to hazelnut cultivation. The shareholding structure was established with institutions that will contribute to sustainability. Vocational development of 15 farmers, 10 researcher and more than 100 agricultural engineers have been contributed at the end of the project. Cooperation between institutions improved, new partnership between institutions established and protocols signed. In Project has been obtained 5 acre modern orchard, hazelnut cultivation book which prepared in 4 languages, 2 report and 1 poster. In the long term, project will continue with mechanization studies.