Change and Transformation in Agricultural Production in Türkiye

Agriculture stands as a cornerstone of Türkiye's economy, history, and culture, shaping livelihoods for millions and sustaining its role as one of the world’s few self-sufficient countries in food production. Contributing around 6.5% to the national GDP and employing nearly 18% of the workforce (TurkStat, 2023), the sector is central not only to rural development but also to national food security and export competitiveness. Beyond economics, agriculture remains a cultural anchor, with traditional farming practices, cuisine, and rural heritage deeply tied to Türkiye’s identity.

Yet, Turkish agriculture now faces a pivotal transformation. On one hand, it benefits from technological progress precision farming, greenhouse cultivation, and digital platforms that connect farmers to markets. On the other hand, profound structural challenges persist. Land fragmentation limits economies of scale, with many farmers operating on small, inefficient plots. An aging farming population adds another layer of concern, as youth migration toward urban areas threatens generational continuity in rural livelihoods.

Water scarcity further complicates the picture, as climate change exacerbates drought frequency and alters rainfall patterns. Türkiye, already located in a semi-arid region, faces mounting pressure to balance agricultural productivity with sustainable resource use. These issues are compounded by global economic pressures, volatile input prices, and the growing demand for climate-resilient food systems.

Looking ahead, the path for Turkish agriculture lies in embracing sustainable intensification boosting yields while conserving natural resources. Policy reforms to consolidate land, incentives for youth participation, and wider adoption of climate-smart technologies will be critical. Türkiye’s agricultural evolution thus reflects both a national necessity and a global responsibility: ensuring resilient food systems in an era of uncertainty while safeguarding the sector’s cultural and historical legacy.

Historical Transformation and the Current Structural Landscape

Türkiye’s agricultural journey is deeply rooted in history, with its fertile soils forming part of the ancient Fertile Crescent, often described as the cradle of agriculture. From the Anatolian plateau to the coastal plains, farming has long been at the heart of livelihoods, shaping the country’s culture, economy, and identity. The Republican era brought significant state intervention, with agricultural cooperatives and state-owned enterprises established to modernize production, improve food security, and stabilize rural incomes. These policies laid the foundation for Türkiye’s early agricultural self-sufficiency.

The decades after 1950 marked a turning point. The introduction of mechanization tractors, harvesters, and chemical fertilizers revolutionized productivity, enabling larger harvests and reducing dependence on manual labor. However, this transformation also fueled massive rural-to-urban migration, as surplus labor shifted into cities to support industrialization. While productivity improved, rural depopulation began to erode traditional farming knowledge and weakened rural community structures.

Today, the structural issues that emerged during this transformation are increasingly evident. Employment in agriculture has fallen sharply, dropping from 48% in 2000 to just 17.3% in 2023 (TÜİK, 2024). Compounding this decline, the farming population is aging, with the average farmer now over 55 years old (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 2023), signaling a looming crisis of succession and innovation. Land fragmentation remains another critical barrier: small, scattered plots prevent farmers from achieving economies of scale, investing in advanced technologies, or efficiently managing scarce resources like water.

These demographic and structural constraints threaten the resilience and long-term viability of Türkiye’s agricultural system. Without generational renewal, land consolidation, and stronger policy support, the sector risks stagnation, undermining both national food security and rural development goals.

The Double-Edged Sword of Inputs and Environmental Pressures

The widespread adoption of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and mechanized farming during the Green Revolution was a turning point for Türkiye’s agriculture. These inputs significantly increased yields of staple crops such as wheat, maize, and cotton, allowing the country to strengthen its food security and reduce dependence on imports. For decades, higher productivity was seen as the main indicator of progress. However, this intensive input-dependent model has revealed its darker side over time, exposing serious environmental and economic vulnerabilities.

According to the Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion (TEMA, 2023), nearly 73% of Türkiye’s soils are now degraded, with alarming declines in organic matter content. In many regions, soils have fallen below the critical 2% threshold of organic matter, undermining fertility and crop resilience. Heavy reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers has further reduced nutrient-use efficiency, leading to both wasted resources and widespread soil acidification. Pesticide overuse has also disturbed ecological balances, contributing to biodiversity loss and threatening pollinator populations essential for fruit and vegetable production.

Water resources face similar strain. Agriculture accounts for over 70% of Türkiye’s freshwater withdrawals, and water-intensive crops such as cotton, rice, and maize have accelerated over-extraction. This has led to falling groundwater levels, salinization in coastal regions, and growing conflicts over water allocation. The World Resources Institute (2023) categorizes Türkiye as experiencing “high” water stress, a condition that jeopardizes irrigated agriculture in the fertile basins of Central Anatolia and the Southeast.

Compounding these pressures is the accelerating impact of climate change. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and more frequent droughts have already disrupted planting calendars and reduced yields in vulnerable provinces. Together, these challenges underscore the urgent need for a paradigm shift—away from input-intensive models toward regenerative, climate-smart practices that restore soil health, conserve water, and safeguard long-term productivity.

The Rise of Organic and Sustainable Agriculture

In Türkiye, growing environmental concerns and consumer demand for healthier food have created strong momentum for organic and sustainable agriculture. Over the last decade, the sector has witnessed remarkable growth, positioning Türkiye as one of the leading exporters of organic products to European Union markets. According to TÜİK (2024), the total organic agricultural area expanded to 1.1 million hectares by 2023, marking a significant increase from earlier years. This expansion reflects both market opportunities abroad and rising domestic awareness of food safety and environmental protection. At the same time, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has promoted “Good Agricultural Practices” (GAP), which encourage reduced chemical use, better resource management, and traceability throughout supply chains.

Sustainable agriculture in Türkiye also draws on deep cultural roots, with increasing efforts to revive indigenous seed varieties and traditional knowledge systems. These local practices often prove more resilient to pests, droughts, and shifting climate conditions than imported high-input seeds. Initiatives like the National Biodiversity Inventory and Sustainable Land Management Project (2022) are working to protect genetic resources and ensure that traditional varieties remain available for future generations.

Consumer behavior is an equally important driver of this shift. Urban populations are showing greater preference for organic, traceable, and ethically produced food. However, challenges remain. Production costs for organic farming are generally higher, supply chains are fragmented, and consumer awareness still needs strengthening at the national level. Despite these obstacles, sustainable agriculture is increasingly recognized as a pathway to balance environmental stewardship, economic resilience, and rural development.

Ultimately, Türkiye’s organic and sustainable agriculture movement reflects both an economic opportunity and a societal response to global pressures. By combining modern certification systems with traditional resilience, the sector has the potential to redefine food production in a way that safeguards both public health and environmental stability.

Technological Innovations and the Future of Agriculture in Türkiye

The future of agriculture in Türkiye is being reshaped by the rapid adoption of Agriculture 4.0, a framework that integrates digital technologies into farming practices. Precision agriculture is at the forefront, with GPS-guided machinery, drones for aerial field monitoring, and sensor-based irrigation systems increasingly used to optimize input application. These technologies not only save water and reduce reliance on fertilizers and pesticides but also help improve yields and profitability. To accelerate adoption, the Turkish government has introduced grants, credit schemes, and training programs designed to promote the uptake of smart farming solutions.

At the same time, advances in biotechnology are providing pathways for resilience against climate change. Research institutions are working on drought- and salt-tolerant crop varieties that can withstand the challenges of water scarcity and soil salinity, which are pressing issues in many regions. Digital platforms are also emerging as vital tools, connecting farmers with markets, offering real-time price updates, and minimizing the role of intermediaries that often reduce farmers’ margins.

Yet, the benefits of these innovations remain unevenly distributed. High costs limit access for smallholders, who form the majority of Türkiye’s farmers. Bridging this gap through cooperative ownership models, targeted subsidies, and farmer education is essential to ensure inclusive agricultural modernization.

Conclusion

Türkiye’s agricultural sector stands at a decisive turning point where history, culture, and modern challenges intersect. Once the anchor of rural life and national self-sufficiency, agriculture now grapples with structural, environmental, and demographic pressures that demand urgent reform. The legacy of land fragmentation, soil degradation, and water scarcity, coupled with an aging farmer population, underscores the fragility of the system. At the same time, global economic volatility and climate change have amplified vulnerabilities, making business-as-usual approaches untenable.

Yet, within these challenges lies a clear opportunity. The rise of organic farming, sustainable practices, and the growing integration of Agriculture 4.0 technologies provide a roadmap for renewal. By leveraging precision farming, biotechnology, and digital platforms, Türkiye can align productivity goals with environmental stewardship. Equally critical is ensuring inclusivity: smallholders, who remain the backbone of rural livelihoods, must be empowered through land consolidation, cooperative models, credit access, and targeted policy support.

Ultimately, the transformation of Türkiye’s agriculture is not merely about securing higher yields; it is about sustaining rural communities, preserving cultural heritage, and ensuring food sovereignty in an era of uncertainty. With strategic reforms and inclusive innovation, Türkiye has the potential to lead as a model of resilient, sustainable agriculture.

References: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Republic of Türkiye; TEMA Foundation; TÜİK; WRI.

Please note that the views expressed in this article are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of any organization.

The writer is affiliated with the Department of Agricultural Economics, Selcuk University, Konya-Türkiye and can be reached at mdirek@selcuk.edu.tr

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