The "4th Agriculture and Forestry Council: Sustainable Rural Life Workshop", organized in Ankara by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, has commenced.
Speaking at the opening session of the workshop, held at the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSİ), Vice President Dr. Cevdet Yılmaz emphasized that agriculture and rural development are among the most critical sectoral components of the Medium-Term Programme’s macro-policies.
Highlighting that agriculture and rural development, as well as food security, are strategic areas, Yılmaz stated:
"Therefore, we must approach this field with long-term and deeply rooted policies. In addition to its historical significance, the importance of food security has become increasingly evident due to factors such as climate change, disruptions in supply chains, global population growth, and natural disasters. Just as in development policies, we prioritize green and digital transformation in rural areas. When we talk about rural development, we must consider a range of activities, from rural tourism and renewable energy to handicrafts and commerce. Over the past 20 years, we have implemented various programs and institutional structures within the framework of rural development. We have supported rural development through various grant programs, including IPARD, the Rural Development Investments Support Program, the Specialized Hands Program, and the Young Farmer Program. Thanks to these initiatives, 96,000 projects have been implemented, approximately 126 billion TL in grant support has been provided, and 281,000 jobs have been created. Furthermore, the integration of generative artificial intelligence into areas such as irrigation efficiency and other agricultural activities is crucial. Strong AI units should be established within the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and related agricultural organizations."
Türkiye Ranks 10th in Global Agricultural Output
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı stressed that rural development is the key to ensuring food security. Yumaklı emphasized that recent global developments have underscored the critical importance of agriculture and food, stating:
"Despite various challenges, we have never abandoned agricultural production, and there has been no food shortage. As our President has emphasized, we know that if we stop, we will fall; if we relax, we will lose; and if we forget our goals, we will lose our way. That is why we always look forward. Today, with an agricultural output of $68.5 billion, Türkiye ranks first in Europe and among the top 10 countries worldwide. While we seamlessly meet the food demands of our citizens and tourists visiting our country, we also export 2,200 different products to over 180 countries, contributing $32.6 billion annually to the economy.
During the workshop, experts and stakeholders will thoroughly discuss various topics. We call this 'experience sharing', and in reality, this effort will help shape the future of Türkiye’s agriculture. The insights gained from the workshop will be compiled into reports and shared with our 15 working groups within the Council. We believe that no issue should be left unaddressed because we want agriculture to play a defining role in the Century of Türkiye."
ARDSI Director Antalyalı Speaks at the "Special Session"
During a special session moderated by Council Board Member Dr. Ali Recep Nazlı, ARDSI Director Dr. Ahmet Antalyalı emphasized that sustainable rural development is not merely an economic growth process but a holistic approach aimed at preserving natural resources, enhancing social well-being, and ensuring a livable environment for future generations. Antalyalı stated that making rural areas more attractive through education, healthcare, and infrastructure investments will enhance sustainability. He further elaborated:
"Rural development, both globally and in Türkiye, is evolving to address the changing needs of rural communities for sustainable living. Over the past two decades, the global focus has been on developing rural economies, promoting rural tourism, implementing environmental measures, and combating climate change. However, in the last five years, we have observed new trends in rural development, such as digitalization, the increasing need for renewable energy in production, transitioning to a circular economy that preserves natural resources, and addressing social challenges like rural depopulation through social innovation.
Academic research and programs worldwide, particularly in the Northern America and Europe, indicate a growing integration of digital technologies into agriculture and rural development. In this regard, ARDSI aligns its rural development policies with global trends. For 14 years, under the EU IPARD Programme, we have supported rural communities by reducing socio-economic disparities between rural and urban areas, enhancing competitiveness in food security and reliability, and improving the overall welfare of rural populations."
Over 25,000 Projects Supported through IPARD Programme
Dr. Antalyalı highlighted that ARDSI has provided 47.3 billion TL in grant support for over 25,000 projects, facilitating approximately 100.7 billion TL in investments across Türkiye. He noted that 99.4% of the allocated funds under IPARD I were utilized for investments, while under IPARD II, 99.7% of the allocated funds were successfully implemented.
"Just as in all EU member and candidate countries, a well-integrated approach to rural development support in Türkiye would prevent duplication, inconsistencies, and inefficiencies, thus improving service quality, increasing welfare levels, and preventing waste of resources."
At the end of the session, Dr. Antalyalı answered participants' questions.
Workshop Concludes with Plaque Ceremony
The first day of the workshop concluded with a plaque presentation ceremony.
The workshop will continue with various sessions featuring expert panelists and discussions, concluding on Thursday, February 20.
The 4th Agriculture and Forestry Council is scheduled to take place on April 28-30, 2025, with its final declaration set to be announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in May.
