Modernization Opportunities in Türkiye's Agriculture

The decline in the agricultural population is often highlighted in public discourse, yet the topic is frequently misunderstood by those unfamiliar with the complexities of the sector. At its core, agricultural production is driven by four essential factors: natural resources, labor, capital, and entrepreneurship. Among these, natural factors such as climate, soil, and water availability are fixed and governed by geography. These cannot be altered, only managed wisely. However, the remaining factors including labor, capital, and entrepreneurial capacity are dynamic and can be shaped through technological innovation, education, investment, and policy reform.

Türkiye enjoys a rare agricultural advantage due to its unique geography and climate diversity. Few countries in the world can match Türkiye’s ecological richness, where multiple climatic zones coexist. This enables a wide range of crops to flourish from cherries in the highlands of Konya to citrus fruits in the warm valleys of Antalya. A traveler in early summer might witness cherry orchards in full bloom fed by snowmelt in Central Anatolia, then find themselves skiing in the Bey Mountains and swimming in the Mediterranean all in one day. Such biodiversity makes Türkiye not only agriculturally productive but also strategically important in the global food landscape.

Despite this potential, the country struggles to convert its natural wealth into global market success. Although Türkiye ranks as the world’s fourth-largest vegetable producer (FAO, 2022), its agricultural exports are not yet optimized to match its production capabilities. Weak logistics, fragmented supply chains, and inconsistent export policies have hindered the full commercialization and globalization of Turkish agriculture.

To reverse the declining interest in farming and boost the sector’s appeal, Türkiye must modernize its agricultural infrastructure, incentivize youth participation, and implement robust export-oriented policies. Only then can it translate its natural bounty into sustained economic growth and global agricultural leadership.

Productivity Gains or Structural Warning?

The steady decline in Türkiye’s agricultural population raises important questions about the future of farming. Once home to nearly 4 million farmers, Türkiye now has just 2.17 million registered farmers according to the Farmers’ Registration System (ÇKS) as of 2023 (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 2023). This means that only about 6% of the national workforce is now engaged in agriculture, a sharp decrease from previous decades. At first glance, such a drop may appear alarming, especially in a country with a rich agrarian tradition and favorable agroecological conditions.

However, this trend mirrors patterns in many developed economies, where agricultural employment has declined even as productivity has increased. In the United States, for example, less than 1% of the population is directly involved in agriculture, yet the country remains one of the world’s top agricultural exporters (USDA, 2023). This evolution underscores a critical insight: agricultural success is no longer strictly tied to the number of people working the land but to how efficiently that land is managed.

In Türkiye, the decline in farming population may not be entirely negative if it coincides with technological progress, improved mechanization, and more efficient value chains. When fewer but better-equipped and better-trained farmers produce more with less, agriculture becomes both sustainable and economically viable. However, this transition must be managed carefully. Without investment in rural education, digital infrastructure, and agri-tech innovation, declining participation may lead to knowledge loss, aging rural communities, and widening rural-urban inequality.

Rather than viewing the shrinking agricultural workforce as a threat, Türkiye can transform it into a strength by fostering innovation, youth engagement, and policy reforms. If productivity continues to rise while sustainability is maintained, the country can secure its place as a global agricultural leader, even with fewer farmers.

Modernizing Agriculture and Managing Migration

As Türkiye’s agricultural landscape evolves, mechanization and specialization are emerging as central pillars of its future. Although agriculture has traditionally relied heavily on manual labor, the advent of advanced technologies is steadily reducing this dependency. Innovations such as precision farming, sensor-based irrigation, drone surveillance, and AI-driven crop diagnostics are transforming farming into a more data-driven and capital-intensive enterprise. Türkiye now boasts over 1.2 million tractors (TÜİK, 2023), reflecting a significant increase in mechanization and signaling improved efficiency across rural areas.

This technological shift has also redefined gender roles in agriculture. Where physical strength once shaped labor division, machines now level the playing field. Women are increasingly visible in roles once dominated by men e.g. driving tractors, managing greenhouses, and leading agribusinesses. Likewise, men are engaging in previously feminized agricultural tasks, such as nursery work and packaging. This transformation underscores the growing importance of skills and technical competence over traditional gender norms in the rural workforce.

Concurrently, Türkiye faces the challenge of managing rural-to-urban migration. As agriculture modernizes, some rural populations are displaced due to mechanization and shrinking job opportunities. Many migrants arrive in cities unprepared for the labor demands of urban economies. With an urban unemployment rate of 10.4% (TÜİK, 2024), this influx of unskilled labor contributes to rising joblessness and social integration issues.

To address these interconnected issues, Türkiye must adopt a dual-track strategy. First, investment in rural infrastructure, extension services, and agricultural education is vital to make rural life more sustainable and appealing. Second, structured vocational training programs for rural migrants can ease their integration into urban economies. By fostering smart rural development and managing migration proactively, Türkiye can ensure that modernization enhances both agricultural productivity and social stability.

Conclusion

Türkiye stands at a pivotal moment in its agricultural trajectory blessed with abundant natural resources and ecological diversity, yet challenged by a shrinking farming population, fragmented supply chains, and rural-to-urban migration pressures. The decline in agricultural employment, while often viewed with concern, also presents an opportunity to modernize the sector through mechanization, specialization, and increased productivity. Global examples demonstrate that a smaller, more skilled workforce, when supported by smart technologies and robust policies, can sustain and even enhance national food systems.

To unlock its full agricultural potential, Türkiye must shift focus from quantity to quality: investing in precision farming, strengthening rural infrastructure, and fostering entrepreneurship in agri-food value chains. At the same time, the migration of rural workers to urban centers must be managed strategically. Without appropriate support, this demographic shift could deepen urban unemployment and rural decline. Through targeted vocational training, inclusive rural development programs, and incentives for youth participation, Türkiye can retain talent in its villages while equipping migrants for urban integration.

If embraced as a moment for transformation, rather than decline, this demographic shift can catalyze a resilient, competitive, and globally engaged agricultural sector. With the right mix of innovation, policy reform, and social investment, Türkiye can turn today’s agricultural challenges into tomorrow’s leadership in global food security.

References: FAO; Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry; TÜİK; USDA

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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