THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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August 2026…
The textile world is undergoing a transformation. Global giants are no longer just looking at the texture or color of the fabric; they are questioning the story behind it, the environmental cost of the product from the field, and its water footprint. It is precisely at this turning point that Turkish cotton is preparing to enter the global stage with enormous potential. The world is now experiencing an era where production is prioritized not only by yield but also by quality!
Recently, we had a highly strategic conversation about Türkiye’s “white gold” with Fevzi Çondur, Head of the National Cotton Council (UPK) and the Aydın Commodity Exchange, who was a guest at our “Defending the Future of Agriculture” programme, which we held with students at the Faculty of Agriculture of Aydın Adnan Menderes University.
Not a Slogan, but a Global Brand: “GMO Free Turkish Cotton”
The first and most important stop on our conversation was the “GMO Free Turkish Cotton” branding initiative, UPK’s most comprehensive vision project. President Çondur summarizes the country’s strength in this field with a clear statement: “The global textile industry is now scrutinizing the product in every aspect. We have a unique natural competitive advantage: GMO cotton seeds are not used in Türkiye. We are not leaving this advantage as just a slogan, but transforming it into a global quality brand trusted by the international textile industry.” Stating that they have established a complete traceability infrastructure from production to yarn, from textiles to the final product, Çondur emphasizes that their aim is to transform the labour of the producer in the field into higher added value and to reinforce the strength of Turkish textiles in the global market.
Drought is Coming: What Should Be Done for Cotton Basins?
Another pressing issue on the agenda was undoubtedly the climate crisis and water management. The water scarcity, especially in the Büyük Menderes Basin, considered the heart of the textile industry, is turning sustainability from a “choice” into a “matter of survival.”
Fevzi Çondur doesn’t hide the fact that the drought directly threatens cotton production, but he underlines that we are not without solutions. The latest assessment report prepared by the Council is essentially an emergency action plan for the sector:
Pressurized and Precision Irrigation: It is essential that traditional irrigation methods are rapidly replaced by modern, water-efficient systems. And urgently!
Digital Agriculture and Data Management: Satellite-supported agricultural monitoring and data-driven irrigation models are being implemented in the fields. Drought-Resistant Seeds: Developing seed varieties that can withstand climate change and yield high returns with less water is among the priorities.
Certification and Carbon Footprint: Sustainability will be documented through soil health-protecting practices and carbon footprint measurements.
Transformation is Necessary, Our Infrastructure is Ready…
The clearest summary of our conversation with President Çondur was this: The future of Turkish cotton lies in a model that consumes less water, respects the environment and is traceable from field to store. The National Cotton Council, which unites all stakeholders from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to universities, research institutes and industrialists under the same vision, is working intensively to ensure that public support is structured to encourage this green transformation. It is encouraging to see that Türkiye possesses the knowledge and production culture to achieve this transformation. However, every step must be monitored until results are achieved.
As a journalist, I would like to say this: When we combine our natural advantages with technology and the right strategy, it is entirely possible for “GMO-free Turkish cotton” to change the balance of power in the world. However, the consequences of our choices should not lead to the situation that cotton production in Çukurova region has fallen into!
By Harun Göksel,
Agricultural Journalist
Source Link = https://www.tarimpusulasi.com/makale/gelecegin-pamugu-dogal-izlenebilir-ve-surdurulebilir-285
