Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı emphasized Türkiye’s responsibility to enhance its agricultural production power, not just for today but for the next 25 to 50 years. Speaking at the “Sürdürülebilir Tarım ve Gıda Zirvesi” (Sustainable Agriculture and Food Summit) organized by Bloomberg HT, Yumaklı addressed key developments in the sector and future strategies.
Highlighting that food security is no longer just a topic for opinion columns or policy forums but a widespread concern, Yumaklı stressed the importance of accurate communication and collective responsibility. He underlined Türkiye’s rich agricultural potential—its fertile land, diverse climate, and strategic location—stating:
“No country in the world is fully self-sufficient, but if Türkiye’s borders were to close today, we would not face shortages in strategic products due to our production capacity.”
“We Must Go Beyond Our Current Capacity”
Minister Yumaklı reiterated that agriculture policy in Türkiye is built with a long-term vision:
“We are not talking about today’s agriculture—we are talking about the next 25 to 50 years. In line with this, we have a responsibility and obligation to push our production capacity beyond current levels.”
He added that decisions and action plans from the 4th Agriculture and Forestry Council will be published soon and that the process is being carried out transparently with the participation of all stakeholders.
“Water Is at the Center of Production Planning”
Yumaklı noted that Türkiye’s new production planning model revolves around water efficiency, describing water as “the most vital issue now and in the future.”
He said:
“Production planning is essential for food security. It benefits producers and has been developed through local input and adopted by decision-makers. I am truly hopeful.”
Stricter Pesticide Controls and Barcode Traceability
The Minister announced increased inspections at every stage—from production fields to packaging facilities and retail points.
“If pesticide residues exceed legal limits, those products are destroyed,” Yumaklı said.
He rejected the generalization of domestic agriculture based on returned export goods, stating:
“Only 0.1% to 0.2% of exported goods are returned. Labeling all producers based on this is unfair.”
Yumaklı also introduced plans for a barcode system:
“Consumers will be able to scan a product’s barcode and instantly see whether it passed safety inspections.”
Impact of Frost and High Intermediary Costs
Addressing the recent severe frosts that affected 65 provinces—34 significantly—Yumaklı noted that this year’s sub-minus-20°C temperatures were the coldest in over 40 years.
On intermediary costs, Yumaklı revealed that all pricing stages—from producer to consumer—are monitored by a dedicated Food Supply Security Department. If irregularities are detected, the Trade Ministry is alerted.
“For example, the price of pistachios doubled due to market hoarding, despite surplus production. The Trade Ministry intervened quickly, but prices tend to stick after such spikes.”
New “Hal Law” and Contracted Farming
Yumaklı stated that revisions to the Hal Law, aimed at regulating intermediary costs and market dynamics, are nearly complete and will be announced soon.
“As the Ministry responsible for production sufficiency, we believe one of the key elements of planning is contracted farming. We’re working to expand this model to prevent price volatility and ensure fairness.”
He noted that a lack of trust is the main obstacle to contracted farming and that the government is introducing an arbitration mechanism through the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges to resolve disputes and protect both buyers and sellers.
“Technology and Youth Will Shape the Future of Agriculture”
Yumaklı addressed the aging agricultural workforce, a common issue among G20 nations:
“Farming is hard, and young people don’t want to engage in it unless conditions improve. But we have a new generation of innovative farmers in their 20s who are already making a difference.”
He highlighted the ministry’s focus for 2025–2027 will be on agricultural technologies. Türkiye is engaging with talented young engineers and innovators to drive this transformation.
Encouraging Youth to Become Entrepreneurs
Minister Yumaklı encouraged young people to consider agricultural entrepreneurship instead of waiting for public service appointments:
“With their education, entrepreneurial spirit, and our support, they can earn far more than they would in government jobs. I urge them not to limit themselves to taking KPSS exams and waiting for civil servant positions. Be entrepreneurs.”
Source: Anadolu Ajansı/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök