Challenges in Agricultural Production in Türkiye

Agricultural production remains a cornerstone of Türkiye’s economy, contributing 6.5% to national GDP and employing approximately 18% of the workforce, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK, 2023). The sector is vital not only for domestic food security but also for rural livelihoods and export earnings. However, Türkiye’s agriculture is deeply tied to seasonal cycles and natural resource availability, making it inherently vulnerable to climate variability, soil degradation, water scarcity, and pest outbreaks. The country experiences significant regional and seasonal disparities, with coastal areas often better suited for year-round cultivation, while central and eastern regions rely heavily on seasonal rains and traditional farming cycles.

This reliance on environmental conditions exposes farmers to a wide range of uncertainties, from unseasonal frosts and droughts to volatile commodity prices. Moreover, post-harvest losses due to inadequate storage and processing infrastructure further reduce profitability, especially for perishable crops such as tomatoes, cherries, and cucumbers.

Despite these challenges, Türkiye has seen promising developments in agricultural modernization. Innovations such as precision farming, greenhouse cultivation, and drip irrigation have enabled more efficient resource use and extended growing seasons. Additionally, vertical farming and climate-controlled greenhouses are gaining popularity in urban areas, providing alternatives to traditional land-intensive methods. The government has also introduced support schemes such as agricultural insurance, input subsidies, and rural development grants to mitigate risk and encourage sustainable practices. Nevertheless, smallholder farmers often lack the technical capacity or financial means to fully benefit from these innovations. Addressing seasonal production challenges in Türkiye requires a multifaceted strategy that includes investment in agri-tech, improved rural infrastructure, climate resilience policies, and farmer training. This comprehensive approach can help reduce seasonal vulnerabilities, stabilize food supply, and improve rural incomes, thereby securing a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector for Türkiye’s future.

Agricultural Production Depends on Natural Conditions

Türkiye’s agricultural production is heavily shaped by its natural environment, particularly the interplay of climate, soil, and water availability. With its diverse geography spanning seven distinct climatic regions, the country offers a range of agro-ecological zones, each suitable for different crops. The Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, for example, are ideal for cultivating citrus fruits, olives, and figs due to their mild winters and long growing seasons. In contrast, Central Anatolia, with its drier continental climate, is the hub of wheat, barley, and sugar beet production. Meanwhile, Eastern Anatolia, characterized by high altitudes and harsh winters, is limited to cold-resistant crops like lentils and potatoes. However, climate change is increasingly disrupting these established agricultural patterns. A 2023 study by Bozkurt et al. projected that a 1.5°C rise in average temperature could reduce wheat yields in key areas like Konya by 10–15%. Extreme weather events, such as the severe April 2023 frost, devastated apricot and cherry orchards, causing losses exceeding 90% in some regions, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Water scarcity adds to another layer of vulnerability. Agriculture accounts for about 70% of Türkiye’s water consumption (WWF-Türkiye, 2023), and recurrent droughts, particularly in 2021–2022, have already led to significant yield reductions, such as a 30% decline in cotton production in Şanlıurfa (TÜİK, 2023). While technological solutions exist, their adoption remains uneven. Only about 25% of farms currently use drip irrigation, largely due to prohibitive installation costs (SUEN, 2023). Encouragingly, greenhouse farming has expanded to 800,000 hectares, helping farmers extend growing seasons and buffer against climate unpredictability. Additionally, innovative tools like drought-resistant genetically modified crops, soil moisture sensors, and AI-guided irrigation systems are being piloted in various regions, reducing water waste by as much as 40% (FAO-Türkiye, 2022). These adaptations highlight the urgent need for more widespread investment in climate-resilient agriculture across Türkiye.

Risks and Uncertainties in Agricultural Production

Agricultural production in Türkiye faces significant risks and uncertainties stemming from both natural and economic factors, posing considerable challenges for farmers and policymakers alike. Climate risks such as frost, hailstorms, droughts, and erratic rainfall patterns are increasingly frequent, resulting in an estimated €1.5 billion in annual crop losses (Turkish Insurers Union, 2023). These disruptions are particularly severe in sensitive crop zones, such as the Black Sea region, where unpredictable rain hampers hazelnut harvesting and flowering. Similarly, the Mediterranean region suffers from prolonged dry spells that impact citrus and vegetable yields.

On the economic front, global market volatility further amplifies risk. The 2022 wheat price surge of 50%, driven by geopolitical instability in Eastern Europe, exposed Türkiye’s dependence on external markets. Meanwhile, input costs for fertilizers, seeds, and fuel have soared, fertilizer prices alone rose by 120% following COVID-19 supply chain disruptions (Central Bank of Türkiye, 2023). Such unpredictability diminishes farmer profits and increases vulnerability, especially among smallholders.

Despite these challenges, insurance coverage remains inadequate. Only 15% of Turkish farmers are insured (Turkish Catastrophe Insurance Pool, 2023), and most policies cover limited perils like hail, frost, and fire, excluding widespread risks like drought or market price collapse. High premiums, ranging from €50–100 per hectare, often deter adoption. Pilot programs offering weather-indexed insurance in provinces like Antalya and İzmir are promising but remain in early stages. More comprehensive subsidies, modeled after South Korea’s 70% premium support scheme, could encourage broader participation.

Türkiye’s highly seasonal agricultural output further complicates matters. Crops like wheat and citrus follow fixed harvesting windows, while tomatoes are produced year-round in greenhouses. Yet, post-harvest losses are severe, up to 30% of fresh produce is wasted due to inadequate cold storage and limited processing infrastructure (FAO, 2023). The Ministry of Trade reports that the current cold storage capacity satisfies only 40% of national demand. Although the food processing sector—anchored by firms like Tat Konserve and Pınar—plays a stabilizing role, it handles just 25% of total production. Solutions such as solar-powered cold storage units (e.g., Afyon's apple project) and cooperative-driven export models (e.g., Uludağ Fruit Union) offer scalable models to manage seasonal gluts and improve farmer incomes.

Modernizing Turkish Agriculture

Modernizing Turkish agriculture requires a strategic, multifaceted policy approach that addresses both the evolving climate risks and the structural inefficiencies in production, storage, and market access. One critical pathway is the broader adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), which aligns productivity with environmental sustainability. Expanding drip irrigation subsidies, currently allocated at €500 million annually, can reduce water waste and improve yields. Similarly, promoting agroforestry systems, such as olive and almond intercropping in Aydın, enhances soil health and diversifies income streams for farmers, especially in drought-prone regions.

To reduce the sector's vulnerability to climate shocks, robust risk mitigation mechanisms are essential. Making agricultural insurance mandatory for farmers seeking credit, like India’s PMFBY scheme, can ensure widespread risk coverage. Furthermore, the establishment of a national agricultural disaster fund would provide rapid relief to farmers affected by droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events, ensuring continuity of operations.

Technology integration can revolutionize Turkish agriculture by improving efficiency and transparency. Drone-based pest monitoring, as piloted in Çukurova’s cotton fields, enables precise pesticide application, reducing costs and environmental harm. Blockchain systems, such as those being tested for organic pomegranates in Antalya, enhance traceability and market access by assuring product quality and origin.

Strengthening farmer cooperatives is another pillar for modernization. By subsidizing modern storage infrastructure, modeled after Dutch agricultural cooperatives, Türkiye can reduce post-harvest losses and extend shelf life. Additionally, scaling up digital platforms like “TARIMNET” can connect farmers directly with buyers, improving pricing, reducing reliance on middlemen, and increasing competitiveness in both local and export markets. Together, these policy interventions can empower Turkish agriculture to become more resilient, technologically advanced, and economically inclusive.

Conclusion

Seasonal agricultural production in Türkiye lies at the heart of the country's rural economy, food security, and export strength. Yet, this sector faces mounting pressures from climate variability, resource constraints, and global economic volatility. Regional disparities in soil, water, and weather patterns have made agriculture increasingly unpredictable, with events like frost, drought, and input price hikes disrupting livelihoods. Post-harvest losses and inadequate cold storage further erode profitability, especially for perishable crops.

Despite these hurdles, Türkiye is making significant strides toward modernization. Climate-smart techniques, digital innovations, and public-private partnerships are beginning to address the structural inefficiencies that plague the sector. Greenhouse expansion, drip irrigation, precision farming, and farmer cooperatives are helping to buffer seasonal fluctuations and extend growing cycles. However, for these innovations to be transformative, their adoption must be scaled up and made accessible to small-holder farmers, who constitute most of the workforce. Enhanced insurance coverage, digital literacy, improved infrastructure, and inclusive policies are critical to building long-term resilience. With continued investment and adaptive governance, Türkiye has the potential to not only mitigate seasonal risks but also position its agricultural sector as a model for sustainability and innovation in the face of evolving environmental and market dynamics.

References: TÜİK; FAO; Ministry of Agriculture; WWF-Türkiye; TARSIM; Turkish Insurers Union; Central Bank of Türkiye; Turkish Catastrophe Insurance Pool

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

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