Empowering Farmers Through Agricultural Cooperatives in Türkiye

Food security and safety are not only essential components of social welfare but also the bedrock of a nation’s economic and political stability. In Türkiye, where agriculture remains a vital contributor to both employment and GDP, achieving a balance between economic viability and environmental sustainability is an enduring challenge. Modern agricultural practices increasingly rely on a diverse array of inputs (seeds, fertilizers, machinery, irrigation systems, and credit facilities) all of which have become costlier and more complex with the intensification of farming. Individual farmers, especially smallholders who form the majority of Türkiye’s agricultural workforce, often face difficulty accessing these inputs on fair terms.

This exposes them to volatile input prices, unpredictable market demand, and supply chain disruptions, undermining both productivity and profitability. Agricultural cooperatives offer an effective and sustainable solution to these systemic constraints. Rooted in the principle of “unity in strength,” cooperatives empower farmers by pooling resources, sharing risks, and collectively negotiating with suppliers and buyers. This organizational model enhances access to agricultural finance, modern technology, and marketing channels areas where individual farmers typically lack leverage. Moreover, cooperatives facilitate knowledge sharing, extension services, and quality control, ensuring that members adhere to food safety standards and sustainable production practices.

For Türkiye, strengthening the cooperative movement is not merely an economic reform but a pathway toward inclusive rural development and long-term food security. Well-functioning cooperatives can reduce production costs, stabilize prices, and enhance resilience against climate and market shocks. By transforming fragmented rural producers into a coordinated and competitive network, cooperatives can serve as a powerful engine for achieving national goals of agricultural modernization, equitable growth, and sustainability—ultimately ensuring that the Turkish agricultural sector remains both globally competitive and socially grounded.

The State of Cooperatives in Türkiye and the Global Context

Cooperatives have deep historical and institutional roots in Türkiye’s rural economy, serving as crucial vehicles for collective action, social solidarity, and economic empowerment. According to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Trade’s General Directorate of Cooperatives, there are more than 12,500 active agricultural cooperatives in the country, encompassing over 8.5 million members (Ministry of Trade, 2022). These cooperatives span a wide range of activities, including Agricultural Development Cooperatives (Tarımsal Kalkınma Kooperatifleri), Irrigation Cooperatives, and product-based associations dedicated to crops like olives, hazelnuts, and cotton. This extensive membership base provides a strong platform for expanding cooperative-driven development, though the sector still faces structural and organizational challenges that limit its full potential.

On the global stage, cooperatives represent a powerful economic force. The World Cooperative Monitor (2023) reported that the top 300 cooperatives and mutuals worldwide achieved a combined turnover of over USD 2.16 trillion in 2021 equivalent to the GDP of one of the world’s ten largest economies. In countries such as France, Denmark, and the Netherlands, agricultural cooperatives command more than 50% of market share in both production and processing (International Cooperative Alliance, 2023). These examples illustrate how cooperatives can transform rural sectors into globally competitive industries through scale, coordination, and innovation.

By contrast, Türkiye’s cooperative movement, while large in number, remains fragmented and under-capitalized. Strengthening governance, professional management, and policy support could unlock enormous potential, positioning Turkish cooperatives as central actors in achieving food security, export competitiveness, and sustainable rural development.

Core Values, Principles, and Modern Application

The enduring strength and adaptability of cooperatives across the world stem from their firm grounding in the seven principles of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). These principles (Voluntary and Open Membership, Democratic Member Control, Member Economic Participation, Autonomy and Independence, Education, Training and Information, Cooperation among Cooperatives, and Concern for Community) form not just an ethical framework but a comprehensive governance model that balances economic performance with social responsibility.

In Türkiye, however, the challenge lies not in the absence of cooperative structures but in the inconsistent implementation of these foundational principles. Many cooperatives are formally democratic but lack meaningful participation from members in decision-making processes. The principle of Education, Training, and Information remains particularly underdeveloped; without continuous learning opportunities, members often lack the knowledge to exercise oversight, engage with markets, or adopt modern technologies. Similarly, Cooperation among Cooperatives, one of the most transformative ICA principles, is still limited in practice. Most cooperatives operate in isolation rather than forming federations or consortiums that can pool resources for processing, value addition, and export promotion.

The modern reinterpretation of these principles is essential for relevance in today’s digital and globalized agricultural economy. Transparency can be strengthened through digital governance platforms, where members access financial statements, vote electronically, and receive real-time updates on cooperative decisions. Likewise, sustained training programs in sustainable agriculture, digital literacy, and cooperative management can build leadership and accountability at all levels.

By aligning traditional cooperative values with technology-driven inclusiveness and capacity-building, Turkish cooperatives can evolve into resilient, democratic, and competitive institutions. Such modernization will not only revitalize member engagement but also position cooperatives as pivotal actors in achieving national goals of food security, rural equity, and sustainable economic growth.

Persistent Challenges and Strategic Recommendations for Strengthening Cooperatives

While agricultural cooperatives in Türkiye hold immense potential for rural transformation, they continue to face structural and operational challenges that constrain their growth and effectiveness. Three key issues, governance weaknesses, low member participation, and economic fragmentation, stand at the core of these limitations.

First, governance and transparency deficits remain a pressing concern. In some cooperatives, managerial control has become concentrated in the hands of a few, resulting in weak accountability and a drift away from the core principle of democratic participation. Financial opacity and limited member oversight undermine trust and discourage long-term commitment. Without robust auditing systems and transparent communication, cooperatives risk losing their credibility and member confidence.

Second, member apathy and disengagement further weaken cooperative performance. Many members perceive their cooperation as a service provider rather than a collective enterprise they co-own and govern. This mindset diminishes active participation in decision-making and erodes the culture of shared responsibility that is essential for cooperative success.

Third, economic fragmentation and lack of scale hinder competitiveness. Many Turkish cooperatives remain small and localized, unable to achieve the economies of scale necessary for value-added production, marketing, and export. This limits their bargaining power and confines them to low-profit segments of the agricultural value chain.

To overcome these barriers, a strategic approach is vital. Institutional strengthening through digitalization, including online governance platforms and real-time auditing, can enhance transparency and operational efficiency. Continuous education and capacity-building programs should be institutionalized to empower members with managerial, financial, and technical knowledge. Lastly, promoting consolidation and the formation of higher-level cooperative unions will enable resource pooling and large-scale investment. The success of Anadolu Birlik Holding, born from sugar beet growers’ unions, demonstrates the transformative potential of strategic cooperation and scale integration (Özcan, 2021). Strengthening these dimensions can reposition Turkish cooperatives as engines of sustainable rural growth, equity, and competitiveness.

Conclusion

Agricultural cooperatives stand as one of Türkiye’s most powerful yet underutilized tools for achieving sustainable food systems, rural prosperity, and national economic resilience. Their collective potential lies not only in pooling financial and physical resources but also in fostering trust, knowledge sharing, and community empowerment. As demonstrated by successful international models, cooperatives thrive when guided by strong governance, transparent management, and an unwavering commitment to member participation. For Türkiye, realizing this potential requires moving beyond traditional frameworks toward a modernized, technology-driven cooperative system that prioritizes digital transparency, continuous education, and inclusive decision-making.

The future of Turkish agriculture depends on transforming fragmented producers into unified networks capable of competing in global markets while adhering to environmental and social sustainability standards. Strategic reforms that promote federation among cooperatives, expand access to finance, and encourage value-added production will be crucial. When cooperatives operate as genuine democratic enterprises—owned and controlled by farmers, they not only stabilize markets but also enhance food security, reduce rural poverty, and contribute to climate resilience.

In essence, strengthening the cooperative movement in Türkiye is not just an agricultural reform, it is a cornerstone for building a sustainable, equitable, and self-reliant food system that ensures prosperity for rural communities and security for future generations.

References: ICA; Ministry of Trade, Republic of Turkey; Özcan; FAO; World Bank.

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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