Organic Agriculture in Turkey

Abstract

Turkey as well as in the developing world science, technology and the changing rural development and manufacturing approach accordingly with industry, has changed the shape of the realization of agricultural activities. As a result of new production methods, environmental and human health deteriorated and scientists have turned to organic agriculture. Organic farming practices, which started in the 1980s in our country, have improved significantly with the publication of the organic farming regulation in 1994 and the regulation was last regulated in 2018. Our country with conditions favourable for organic agriculture in terms of soil and water resources, climate, variety of products, this study was prepared in order to see how organic agriculture has progressed over the years and at what stage it is today. In 1990, 8 organic products were produced in Turkey with 313 farmers in an area of 1,037 ha. According to the latest data 73,563 farmers have grown 2,371,612 tons of organic products in 626,885 ha organic agriculture area. In addition, the organic product range produced was increased to 213. When we look at the export situation, it is seen that the total export amount is 111,690,675 tons and a significant amount of this export amount is 41.633,896 tons of wheat and wheat products. Looking at the import data, it is known that the total import amount is 175,865,85 tons and the most imported product is soybeans (non-seed) (99,446 tons). Although a significant increase in organic agriculture production has been observed compared to previous years, it is anticipated that this increase may increase even further considering Turkey's agricultural potential.