Seeds: Türkiye's Genetic Homeland in Agriculture

Life begins with a tiny seed marvel that contains within it the genetic blueprint of an entire plant. This silent capsule of life is the true foundation of agriculture, and by extension, of human civilization and food security. For thousands of years, farming communities understood this instinctively. Nowhere is this legacy more visible than in Anatolia, one of the cradles of agriculture, where the earliest farmers practiced seed saving. They carefully observed their fields, choosing the healthiest plants and saving their grains for the next season. This continuity ensured resilience, adaptation, and a living link between generations.

The image of the family “seed bucket,” lovingly filled each year with carefully preserved seeds, carries more than nostalgia. It symbolizes self-reliance, community knowledge, and a deep respect for the cycles of nature. Farmers knew that the seed they saved was not just food for the next harvest but a promise of continuity for their families and villages. Plants chosen for seed were left unharvested until maturity, ensuring strong genetic traits were passed on. This traditional seed culture-built diversity and resilience into local farming systems.

Yet, much of this heritage has been eclipsed in the last fifty years. The global seed industry has professionalized, transforming seeds into commercial products. Farmers, except those in the most remote areas, now depend on specialized companies that breed, produce, and sell seed varieties. This shift has brought advances, uniformity, higher yields, and traits tailored to market needs, but it has also distanced farmers from the intimate practice of selecting and saving seeds. The humble “seed bucket” has been replaced by sealed company bags, a symbol of both agricultural progress and the erosion of local traditions that once defined the bond between people, land, and seed.

Türkiye’s Role as a Genetic Homeland and a Modern Seed Industry

Türkiye holds a unique position in the global agricultural landscape as both a genetic homeland and a hub for a modern seed industry. Recognized as one of the Vavilov centers of biodiversity, the country is the cradle of vital crops such as wheat, barley, lentils, and chickpeas. These crops, domesticated thousands of years ago in Anatolia, still form the basis of global diets today. The preservation of these landraces is not merely a matter of national pride but a critical pillar of global food security. Their genetic diversity carries traits for drought tolerance, disease resistance, and climate adaptability, characteristics that modern breeding programs increasingly depend on. However, the introduction and spread of foreign species over the past century have gradually influenced and sometimes diluted native varieties, raising the urgency for proactive conservation policies.

The modern Türkiye seed sector is built on strong legal and institutional frameworks. The enactment of the Seed Law (No. 5553) in 2006 marked a turning point, introducing a comprehensive system for regulating seed production, certification, trade, and import. This law has helped establish a reliable structure that ensures farmers receive quality seeds meeting defined national standards. Alongside this, the Biosafety Law (No. 5977) provides an additional layer of protection by prohibiting the production and commercialization of genetically modified seeds. This deliberate ban on GMOs reflects Türkiye’s emphasis on safeguarding its conventional seed stock and its biodiversity from potential genetic contamination.

Together, these measures reflect a dual commitment: to conserve Türkiye’s unparalleled genetic resources and to foster a modern, organized seed industry that serves both domestic agriculture and global food systems. In this balance of heritage and innovation lies Türkiye’s lasting importance as a guardian of crop diversity and a leader in regulated seed production.

Addressing Misconceptions and Highlighting the Realities of Türkiye’s Seed Sector

The seed sector in Türkiye has long been surrounded by misconceptions, many of which distort public understanding of its role, methods, and achievements. One of the most common myths is that hybrid seeds are either sterile or harmful to human health. Hybrid seeds are produced through time-tested crossbreeding techniques that combine desirable traits such as higher yields, improved disease resistance, and better adaptability. They are not a health risk but a vital product of scientific progress in agriculture. Another misconception concerns genetically modified organisms. Contrary to speculation, GMO seeds are neither produced nor imported in Türkiye. The Biosafety Law (No. 5977) makes their use strictly illegal, ensuring that Türkiye’s agriculture remains free from GMO-related concerns.

Equally important is the claim that the Türkiye seed industry is dominated by foreign companies. Data shows the opposite: over 90 percent of the more than 1,250 registered seed companies are domestically owned, actively engaged in research and development to create new local varieties. Similarly, the perception that Türkiye is dependent on seed imports is outdated. Today, more than 96 percent of all seeds used by Türkiye farmers are produced domestically. Seed output has surged from just 145,000 tons in the early 2000s to over 1.5 million tons of certified seed in 2023, marking a dramatic transformation.

This growth has positioned Türkiye not only as self-sufficient but also as a competitive exporter. With over 10,000 registered plant varieties and certified seed production surpassing 1.5 million tons, the sector contributes more than $1.2 billion in foreign trade revenues. Türkiye seeds now reach more than 100 countries, signaling a successful balance between meeting domestic needs and establishing a strong global presence.

Conclusion

Seeds embody both history and possibility, carrying within them the memory of past harvests and the promise of future ones. In Türkiye, this duality is especially powerful. The country’s role as a genetic homeland ties it to the earliest chapters of agriculture, while its modern seed industry reflects the advances of science, policy, and trade. The shift from the family “seed bucket” to regulated, certified seed production shows how far the sector has come yet also reminds us of what must be preserved: the diversity, resilience, and cultural heritage embedded in landraces.

Türkiye’s seed policies, particularly the Seed Law and Biosafety Law, demonstrate a clear commitment to protecting biodiversity and ensuring the integrity of its agricultural systems. At the same time, the remarkable growth in domestic production, research, and exports highlights the sector’s economic strength and its potential to support global food security. By addressing misconceptions, Türkiye has also strengthened public trust, proving that its seed sector is nationally driven, self-sufficient, and forward-looking.

Ultimately, the Türkiye seed story is one of balance, between tradition and innovation, local heritage and global engagement. As both custodian of genetic resources and a dynamic seed producer, Türkiye stands as a pivotal actor in shaping a secure and sustainable agricultural future.

References: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Türkiye; Official Gazette of the Republic of Türkiye; Özkan et al.; TİM; TÜRKTOB; TÜİK

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

Related Stories