THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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August 2026…
Climate change, water scarcity, disruptions in global supply chains, and increasing population pressure, along with shrinking agricultural land, are transforming agriculture and food from merely an economic activity into a strategic security issue. The future of nations is now shaped not only by their access to energy, industry or technology, but also by their capacity for reliable and sustainable food production.
At the heart of this transformation are digitalization, artificial intelligence, precision agriculture practices and next-generation agricultural technologies. In our interview with Assoc. Professor Dr. Cem Erdoğan, Deputy Director of the Institute of Food, Agriculture and Livestock Development at Başkent University, we discussed Türkiye’s current position in agricultural technologies, the risks posed by climate change, the new opportunities opened by next-generation agricultural technologies in production and the future of sustainable agriculture. According to Erdoğan, the most critical question of the coming period will not only be how much we will produce, but also with what resources, what technology and within what resilient system we can achieve this.
Esra Yazdıç Demir – Türkiye Technology Development Foundation (TTGV) Corporate Communications and Media Manager
Agriculture and food have now become a matter of national security. A national action plan is needed in this area, but where should we start? What is the riskiest area in Turkish agriculture?
Recent geopolitical developments have transformed agriculture and food from an area that can be evaluated solely in terms of production quantity or economic activity. Global geopolitical upheavals, climate change, energy crises, water stress, logistical disruptions, the decrease in agricultural land and the disengagement of the younger generation from agriculture have directly elevated agriculture and food to a national security dimension. Therefore, agricultural policies need to be addressed within a broader and more holistic framework, beyond the classic production perspective. In the future, it is expected that not only the military capacity of countries but also their agricultural and food capacity will be decisive in international balances. On the other hand, risks related to climate change are becoming increasingly visible in our country’s agriculture. Irregular rainfall patterns, long periods of drought, sudden temperature fluctuations, frost events, decrease in water resources and increasing biotic stress factors reduce predictability in agricultural production. Water stress, in particular, stands out as one of the most critical structural threats for Türkiye in the coming period. Productivity losses in agricultural irrigation have the potential to affect not only production quantities but also food prices, rural development and social stability. Climate change is also altering the dynamics of the spread of harmful organisms, plant diseases and invasive species. Pests that were not seen in certain regions in the past can now appear in new production areas due to different climatic conditions. This can enhance the pressure of pesticide use, yield losses and production costs. The process creates a multi-dimensional risk area not only in terms of agricultural production but also in terms of environmental health, biodiversity and public health. To mitigate these vulnerabilities, the rapid and effective integration of new generation agricultural technologies into production systems is of great importance. The critical point here is, just as in the defense industry, strengthening domestic and national capacity in new generation agricultural technologies.
The obstacle facing producers: Financial constraints
How widely are precision agriculture technologies implemented in Türkiye? What is the biggest obstacle?
In Türkiye, sensors, satellite data, AI-powered decision-making systems and drone applications are increasingly gaining prominence and being implemented in some businesses. However, these technologies have not yet spread to the entire producer base. According to research we conducted with my master’s student, Ms. Sevim Karasungur, 62 percent of producers are implementing new generation irrigation systems in their businesses. This is a very important indicator, because water management is a critical area both economically and environmentally. However, when we look at advanced technologies, the usage rates are still low. Precision agriculture applications are implemented at 26 percent, digital agriculture at 7 percent and data analysis at 5.3 percent. This picture shows us that producers are adopting technology gradually. Producers first turn to more tangible and accessible technologies from which they directly benefit; then they move on to more complex systems.
The biggest obstacle facing producers is financial constraints. 59.2 percent of participants stated that they need grant or loan support, while 53 percent highlighted high interest rates. Approximately 33 percent cited a lack of technical consultancy and information as a significant problem. High-cost technologies, in particular, remain inaccessible to small producers. This is where phased financing models become crucial:
The first phase involves grant support for basic technologies,
The second phase involves hybrid models,
And the third phase involves low-interest loan mechanisms.
Cooperative-based shared technology use also stands out as a critical model. For example, a drone or data analysis system might be costly for a single producer; however, it can be used jointly within cooperative structures. Similarly, the dissemination of new generation agricultural technologies through a leasing model also holds significant potential.
Our research also shows that age is a determining factor. Producers aged 31-45 stand out as the most innovative group, with 84.2 percent of this group stating they are open to new technologies. This rate drops to 43.8 percent for the 60 years and older group. This situation reveals the need to develop different communication strategies for different age groups.
In terms of gender, 83.6 percent of the participants are male. This shows that the sector still has a male-dominated structure and it also reminds us of the need to support female producers.
The importance of correct diagnosis and dosage…
Is it possible to achieve the same yield with fewer chemicals using artificial intelligence and data analytics?
Yes, it is possible when the right system is in place. However, the important thing here is not an unrealistic approach like “using no chemicals at all.” The goal is to intervene with the right pesticide, at the right time, at the right dose and with correctly calibrated equipment, after correctly diagnosing the pest. Artificial intelligence can be used in many areas of agriculture, from irrigation and spraying systems to soil and plant analysis, from weather forecasting to pest detection. It also indirectly contributes to the conservation of biodiversity, ensuring food security and combating climate change. The use of artificial intelligence in agriculture first began in 1985 with a simulation model developed in cotton production. Since then, AI-based systems have developed and become widespread and in the last 25-30 years, they have appeared in Türkiye with various applications. Today, AI-supported systems are effectively used in data collection and analysis, crop forecasting and production planning, early detection of pests and the management of automated agricultural machinery. These systems, integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT), sensor networks and cloud computing technologies, facilitate more informed decision-making based on environmental conditions. For example, by enabling the application of the correct dose of pesticides targeting only the intended pest, they both boost productivity and contribute to the protection of human and environmental health and biodiversity. Agriculture is not limited to plant or animal production; it is a multifaceted system encompassing natural resource management, technological applications, food security and economic development. Therefore, the effective use of artificial intelligence technologies is as important as training expert human resources who understand and can properly manage these systems.
Globally, the market size for AI-assisted agricultural applications is estimated to be 1.7 billion dollars in 2023 and is projected to nearly triple to 4.7 billion dollars by 2028. AI-assisted systems have the potential to reduce fertilizer use by 25 percent and save approximately 10 percent on total production costs. For example, by analyzing leaf sap, the plant nutrients lacking in the leaves can be applied only to the plant, preventing unnecessary chemical inputs. Similarly, since only infested areas can be identified early, a small application can solve the problem without spraying the entire field. These measures reduce input costs while also significantly contributing to the protection of our biodiversity and natural resources. Furthermore, with the support of digitalization, it is expected that the younger generation, who have moved away from agriculture, will show renewed interest in the sector. However, we cannot ignore the fact that this issue has socio-economic dimensions.
Where is Türkiye in terms of sustainable alternatives?
Türkiye possesses significant expertise and knowledge in biological control, biotechnological control, integrated pest management, good agricultural practices and smart farming. However, the prevalence of these practices in the field varies depending on the crop pattern, regional conditions and producer profile. The country is not at the “starting point” in this transformation; however, it is not yet at a “fully widespread” stage either. The most critical issue here is that sustainable alternatives should not remain only at the project or pilot application level; they should become a natural part of the producer’s daily decision-making support mechanisms. This requires more training, more technical extension work and stronger interaction in the field.
Farmer behaviour…
Is digital agriculture changing farmer behaviour?
Yes, digital agriculture is changing producer behaviour. However, this transformation is not happening at the same pace in every producer group. Large-scale businesses, those working for export or those engaged in contract farming can adapt to digital tools more quickly. For small and medium-sized producers, trust, cost, technical support and habits stand out as determining factors. Education level also creates a significant difference here. Producers with university-level or higher education are at a more advanced stage in the use of technology. This group also has greater access to digital information resources such as the internet and social media. Therefore, digital literacy is becoming one of the decisive factors in technology adoption. When a producer sees that the technology used provides them with efficiency, quality, cost advantages or market access, behavioural change becomes more permanent.
Are vertical farming, hydroponics and controlled environment farming solutions or niche areas?
Vertical farming, hydroponic systems and controlled environment farming hold significant potential for Türkiye, especially in conditions where water resources are limited, production areas are shrinking or high value-added products are targeted. It would not be correct to consider these systems as a single, general solution that will transform all of agriculture. They should be considered more as a strategic complementary area for specific products, specific markets and specific climate-risk conditions. Therefore, controlled environment farming can be an important tool within the agricultural systems of the future; however, it should not be seen as the only model to replace all production systems.
Technologies that reduce carbon footprint and economic benefits for farmers…
Technologies that reduce the carbon footprint in agriculture should be considered in conjunction with energy efficiency, water management, precision fertilization, waste utilization and digital monitoring systems. The important thing here is not only to impose environmental responsibility on the producer but also to develop models that have economic value. If the technology used reduces the farmer’s costs for fuel, water, fertilizer, pesticides or labour, it will reduce the carbon footprint while also providing economic benefits. For lasting transformation to become sustainable, environmental benefits and economic gains must progress together.
Is the start-up ecosystem focusing on the right problems? Where is the biggest opportunity?
There is significant dynamism in agricultural technology startups in in the country. However, sometimes a gap can form between the real needs in the field and the technological solutions developed. Startups that will succeed in agriculture will not only be those that develop good software; they will be those that can accurately understand the real needs of farmers, agricultural engineers, the food industry and public authorities. Today, among the biggest areas of opportunity are: Climate risk management, water efficiency, optimization of pesticide use, traceability and the integration of waste into the circular economy are among the areas addressed.
It is no longer possible to consider agriculture, food and climate technologies as separate categories. They must all be considered as interconnected parts of the same system…
Great article. Well done.