Turkey has a rich climate diversity and fertile lands. Throughout history, various civilizations and empires have benefited from the fertile lands of this country. Thanks to the advantages of climate diversity, different agricultural products are grown in every region of Turkey. Turkey is both self-sufficient in most of its agricultural products and meets the needs of different countries.
The agricultural sector has strategic importance in terms of economic growth and development. For this reason, each country has its own agricultural agendas and targets. Also, every country supports the agricultural sector. The agricultural sector provides food for the country’s population. In addition, it makes significant contributions to national income and employment. Agricultural products meet the raw material needs of the industrial sector and contribute directly or indirectly to exports. For all these reasons and much more, agriculture is indispensable for a country. In this article, we will give detailed information about Turkey’s agricultural agenda and what to expect.
Turkey’s Agriculture Agenda
Turkey is a country with an agricultural trade volume of 1.9 trillion dollars. In the agricultural output, it is among the first in Europe and among the top ten countries in the world. Turkey also uses all the benefits of developing technology in the agricultural sector. Thanks to the strong infrastructure that Turkey has created in the agricultural sector, it is a country that does not have problems with the food supply. Besides, Turkey is a self-sufficient country with 134% in the agricultural sector.
The main priority of Turkey’s agricultural agenda is the protection of public health, increasing the quality of production and trade, and the ensuring security of supply. All these priorities were determined by considering the realities of climate change. For this reason, effective, efficient, and sustainable use of ecological resources is at the center of Turkey’s agricultural agenda. Turkey determines the requirements and agenda of the agricultural sector within the framework of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The main slogan of the Ministry on this issue is “Future of Agriculture, Agriculture of the Future”.
Climate Change
Agriculture, forest, water, and biodiversity are among the areas most affected by climate change. Turkey carries out studies for the sustainable protection and development of water resources. About three-quarters of the water is used in the agricultural sector. There has been a serious decrease in precipitation amounts since 2020. However, no serious problems were experienced thanks to the storage facilities and correct irrigation in Turkey. Efficiency is very important in irrigation. For this reason, sustainable and efficient farming methods are used in Turkey.
Due to climate change, temperatures and the amount of precipitation are also changing. This situation causes the prices of food production to increase. By 2050, about 60% more than what is produced today is needed to feed Turkey’s population. Also, more than 15% of water is needed to produce this food. These are the most serious issues on Turkey’s agricultural agenda. For this reason, Turkey is involved in research-development studies for sustainable agriculture and supports these studies. In addition, Turkey effectively uses the advantages of the internet of things in agriculture.
Turkey supports farmers affected by drought and many other negative events. The scope of agricultural insurance has been expanded for agriculture to continue effectively. In addition, practices to support the farmers are implemented.
Food Security
The importance of food security and food needs became more important and evident after Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine War. In addition to these events, the biggest threat to the Earth and our future is definitely climate change. Agricultural production, the agenda of agriculture, and the future of agriculture are of great importance for every country. As an agricultural country, Turkey implements its targets to develop the agricultural sector efficiently.
Turkey is a country that is aware of many global problems that cause food insecurity. It attaches importance to the agenda of its agriculture to solve these problems in a way that will less likely affect the next generation. In this direction, Turkey carries out effective cooperation with international organizations and other countries for sustainable and efficient agricultural practices.
For example, Turkey actively participated in the UN Sustainable Food Systems Summit. In addition, joint studies are carried out with the private sector, professional chambers, and NGOs for the development and improvement of food and agricultural systems. Also, new policies have been created to provide the requirements of the European Green Deal announced by the EU. Turkey follows a technological, green, and sustainable production model in the agricultural sector.
Turkey’s Agriculture Expectations
The most important factors affecting the agriculture sector are climate change, fluctuations in food prices, population mobility, increasing food demand, and natural disasters. Considering these factors, Turkey’s 2019-2023 strategic planning for agriculture has been prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Moreover, the main objective of this planning is to provide healthy and sufficient food to society through efficient and sustainable agriculture. The targets set by Turkey in the 2019-2023 strategic plan and the expectations from Turkey in the agricultural sector are as follows:
Increasing Efficiency and Quality in Agricultural Production
Turkey aims to develop appropriate policy tools for a highly competitive sustainable agriculture sector. Increasing income and employment opportunities in rural areas are also among the targets. Turkey aims to develop new methods and technologies in agriculture.
Ensuring Food Security
Turkey aims to provide accurate and up-to-date information on food safety. Developing practices for food safety and producing environmentally friendly food are among Turkey’s goals.
Soil and Water Resources
Ensuring the protection and efficient use of soil and water resources is among Turkey’s first priorities. It is very important to prepare management and crisis management plans to control the negative effects of floods and droughts. In this direction, it is among the targets of Turkey to make integrated plans in line with the EU legislation for the protection and use of water in terms of quantity and quality.
Institutional Capacity
Turkey aims to take part more effectively in the international arena and to be involved in the decision processes of international organizations. Besides, it is among the objectives of improving the research-development capacity and making the corporate management system effective.
Finally, the following are expected from Turkey’s agricultural agenda:
- Increasing production and efficiency,
- Meeting the food needs of the growing population,
- Improving the level of self-sufficiency in agricultural products,
- Increasing the income obtained from agriculture and providing continuity to the income provided,
- Rural development and the use of new technologies in agriculture,
- Increasing the export of agricultural products.