An Assessment on the Projects Carried out by the Agriculture and Rural Development Support Agency (ARDSI): The Case of Mardin (2012-2023)

The European Union (EU) implements the IPARD program, a rural development component of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA), to facilitate the harmonization process in agriculture and rural development for candidate and potential candidate countries. In Turkey, the institution tasked with executing this program was founded under Law No. 5648 on Agricultural and Rural Development Support Services on May 4, 2007, and currently operates as an affiliated body of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Under this framework, the Agriculture and Rural Development Support Institution (ARDSI) has emerged as a key actor in advancing rural and agricultural development. The institution initiated its support activities in Mardin province in 2012, focusing on rural development. From 2012 to 2023, a total of 258 projects have received support across the province. These initiatives are categorized under three main measures: Measure 101 “Investments in Physical Assets of Agricultural Holdings,” Measure 103 “Processing and Marketing of Agricultural and Fishery Products,” and Measure 302 “Diversification and Development of Farm Activities.” These support schemes play a crucial role in fostering sustainable rural development and stimulating local economies. The projects implemented in Mardin contribute to the modernization of the agricultural sector, the enhancement of rural development, and the closing of regional development gaps. This study aims to analyze the sectoral and spatial distribution of grant-supported projects across Mardin and to assess their impact within the model of sustainable rural development.