THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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Agriculture, throughout human history, has been a fundamental source of food production, fulfilling one of our most basic needs. Today, this ancient sector stands at the cusp of a profound transformation, driven by rapidly evolving technologies. In what can be termed the “Smart Farming Revolution” or the “Age of Smart Farming,” information and technology are fundamentally reshaping agricultural production with accelerating momentum.
New Technologies Paving the Way for Agricultural Transformation…
Smart farming leverages innovative tools such as the Internet of Things (IoT) devices, artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and autonomous equipment to enable more informed and precise management of agricultural processes. Farmers can optimize applications like irrigation, fertilization, and pest control based on real-time data. This not only reduces costs but also minimizes environmental impact.
Further innovations like advanced biotechnology, smart irrigation systems, blockchain technology, and digital twins are poised to offer significant transformative opportunities in the agricultural sector in the near future. For instance, biotechnology contributes to the development of more resilient and productive crop varieties, while smart irrigation systems facilitate efficient water resource utilization. Blockchain will enhance transparency in the supply chain, bolstering consumer trust, and digital twins will enable testing various scenarios in a virtual environment, thereby mitigating risks. The integration of renewable energy sources and digital farm advisory systems will also contribute to the sector’s overall efficiency. All these developments herald the transition into the age of smart farming.
Türkiye in the Age of Smart Farming…
Türkiye, possessing significant agricultural potential, has been increasingly focusing on technological advancements in recent years to further enhance this capacity. Notably, progress in areas such as greenhouse farming, local seed production, agricultural machinery, advanced irrigation techniques, and drone utilization is particularly striking.
- High-Technology Greenhouse Farming: Concentrated primarily in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions, greenhouse farming in Türkiye is increasingly adopting high-tech solutions, including climate control systems, automated irrigation and fertilization units, and even robotic harvesting systems. Modern techniques like LED lighting and hydroponics (soil-less farming) significantly multiply yields per unit area, enabling high production even on limited agricultural land.
- Local Seed Production and R&D: Türkiye’s agricultural independence and food security for local seed production is critically important. Recent R&D investments have facilitated the development of local seed varieties that are more resilient to climatic conditions, higher yielding, and resistant to diseases. This not only reduces farmers’ input costs but also contributes to the preservation of genetic diversity.
. Developments in the Agricultural Machinery Sector: Türkiye is a significant player in agricultural machinery manufacturing. The production and use of smart agricultural machinery, alongside conventional equipment, are increasing. GPS-guided tractors, precision planting machines, and automated spraying systems enable more accurate and efficient operations in the fields. These machines reduce the consumption of inputs such as fuel and fertilizer, thereby lowering costs and diminishing environmental impact.
- Advanced Irrigation Techniques: Efficient water resource management is vital for a country like Türkiye, which includes semi-arid regions. Advanced techniques such as drip irrigation, micro-sprinkling, and automated irrigation systems are becoming more widespread. These systems ensure that plants receive the precise amount of water at the right time, leading to significant water savings. Sensor and AI-supported irrigation solutions continuously monitor soil moisture and plant water stress, minimizing water wastage.
- Increased Drone Utilization: Drone (unmanned aerial vehicle) usage in agriculture is rapidly increasing in Türkiye. Drones are employed in various applications such as aerial field surveying, crop health detection, precision spraying, and fertilization. The real-time data they collect provides valuable insights to farmers, simplifying decision-making processes and shortening intervention times, which in turn enhances productivity and improves pest and disease control.
Türkiye’s Medium-Term Competitive Advantage…
These technological advancements and investments will significantly contribute to Türkiye gaining a substantial competitive advantage in global agricultural markets in the medium term.
- Increased Productivity: High-tech greenhouses, smart machinery, and advanced irrigation techniques will boost yields per unit area.
- Cost Reduction: Automation and precision farming practices will lower input costs such as labor, water, fertilizer, and pesticides, thereby increasing farmers’ profitability.
- Product Quality and Sustainability: Controlled production environments and judicious resource utilization will lead to higher quality and traceable products. This will enhance Türkiye’s competitiveness, particularly in export markets.
- Food Security and Independence: The strengthening of local seed production will reduce Türkiye’s external dependence, bolstering food security.
Continued investment in these areas, support for R&D activities, and accelerated adaptation of farmers to technology will strengthen Türkiye’s potential to become a leading country in the Age of Smart Farming.
Türkiye and the Age of Smart Farming: Future-Oriented Goals…
Türkiye needs to embrace the objective of integrating its agricultural potential with advanced technologies, playing a significant role in this global transformation. Resolving structural problems and rapidly integrating smart farming applications are fundamental to this process. Precision agriculture, IoT devices, AI, data analytics, autonomous equipment, and drone technologies are key to this integration. Notably, agricultural software and satellite data-based precision farming applications offer farmers immediate and accurate decision-making capabilities in critical areas such as soil analysis, crop health monitoring, and resource management. Alongside technological advancements, significant emphasis must be placed on developing a skilled workforce. The creation and support of “new generation young farmer entrepreneurs” are crucial. Furthermore, curricula across all educational levels, from vocational agricultural high schools to relevant university faculties (e.g., agriculture departments), need to be adapted to modern technologies. The establishment of new programs like “Smart Agriculture Engineering” and the promotion of R&D activities focused on climate-resilient farming practices are vital tools for training the experts who will shape the sector’s future.
One of Türkiye’s primary goals in the Age of Smart Farming should be to ensure sustainable agricultural production and gain a competitive edge globally. Achieving sustainability in production and enhancing competitiveness through advanced application techniques—such as efficient water resource utilization via irrigation techniques and soil health preservation through eco-friendly fertilization and pest control methods—forms the bedrock of this objective. Climate change adaptation efforts are among the priority areas for R&D activities; developing drought-resistant varieties, early warning systems, and carbon sequestration practices will enhance agriculture’s resilience to climate shocks.
In conclusion, Türkiye possesses the potential to assume a leading role in the Age of Smart Farming by ensuring food security and offering more competitive, value-added, and traceable agricultural products in global markets. Accordingly, it is crucial to restructure agricultural support to promote the emergence of new generation young entrepreneurs and to incentivize quality, productivity, and good agricultural practices in production. Policies that support technology adoption, reward eco-friendly practices, and encourage young farmers will contribute to both improving product quality and achieving cost advantages for Turkish agriculture in the medium term. The innovative applications Türkiye implements in the short and medium term will bolster its potential to become one of the pioneering countries in the global Age of Smart Farming.
By Professor Dr. Orhan Özçatalbaş,
Lecturer of Akdeniz University, Faculty of Agriculture,
Agricultural Economics Division
