Transformation policies in Turkey’s agricultural sector after 2000

Abstract

Regardless of the nations’ development level, agriculture which has gained the status of sensitive and strategic sector in the globe has also become a focal point of political and economic disputes in our country recently. Looking over the weight of the sector in Turkey’s economy, its contribution to employment and foreign trade figures, although its share has been declining in recent period compared to previous years, agriculture has still great importance in the economy. Besides the current weight of agriculture in our country’ economic and social structure, climate change, drought, global food crises outbreaks and nations’ concerns for enhancing the food safety and security, and measures taken for these issues reveal that agriculture is an indispensable and vital sector. The main aim adopted in our country’s agricultural policies during the last 10 years is to increase competitiveness, to elevate income level and to raise productivity by taking into account sustainable use of natural resources. In this study, as structural changes that are observed as a result of measures taken and policies implemented in agriculture sector are revealed by means of qualitative and quantitative analysis, these policies adopted after 2000 and the aims lay behind them are painstakingly scrutinized. Consequently, it has been taken notice that the transformations in the agriculture support system, rapid progress in land consolidation activities, improvements in irrigation structure, new implementations such as good agricultural practices, organic farming, and also, changes in the institutional and administrative structure has varied the agricultural structure and have affected the sector in socio-economic dimension.