(NAP) that was launched in November 2016 has divided Turkey into 941 production basins, and supports nineteen products based on the production basin of
each product. With this model of production, the government aims to transform the
current agricultural system into a more planned and organized one. NAP can be
seen as a project of “food security” that will overcome structural problems in
Turkish agriculture; transform Turkish agriculture into a planned, conscious, and
adequate production process; regulate the market in order to stabilize the difference
between production and price; support the producers and their income; decrease
agricultural imports; and expand agricultural income.
Assessing the population in terms of food security, the ability of countries to
provide food to feed its population, is important. Availability is one of the four
main pillars of food security. Production, self-sufficiency, poverty and trade issues
are related to availability. In Turkey the agricultural population is gradually
declining. According to TUIK (2016), the number of employees in the agricultural
sector decreased by 30,000 people compared to the previous year (TUIK, 2016).
While the agricultural population is declining the total population is increasing. As
of the end of 2015, with nearly 3 million registered Syrian refugees in Turkey,
Turkey’s population has exceeded 80 million (Kirişçi, 2014: 27–28).
Another factor that plays a role in limiting future food supply in Turkey is the
contraction of agricultural areas. The population has increased continuously in
Turkey. Agricultural land is shrinking. Between 1988 and 2015 the agricultural area
in Turkey contracted by 7.5%, while cultivated areas have decreased by 16%.
Kıymaz/Şanhinöz (2010) argue that non-agricultural use of fertile land in Turkey,
erosion and pollution caused by industrialization, the use of improper irrigation
techniques, and the effects of climate change could increasingly limit the availability of agricultural land (Kıymaz/Şahinöz, 2010: 17). This limited arable land
means a decline in production and a shift away from sustainable food security. The
fact remains that Turkey’s agricultural sector has a lot of small farmers with limited
cultivable land. These farmers often work with older inherited agricultural
machinery, as they cannot afford new equipment. This is a challenge to the future
productivity of the agricultural sector in Turkey.
In addition to domestic production, foreign trade is also a significant driver for
ensuring food supply. According to Ören and his colleagues, since the 1990s
Turkey has increased its imports of food products, and today Turkey has lost its net
exporter position, which is seen as a serious threat (Ören et al., 2008). Tariff
applications in agricultural imports are among the negative factors in terms of food
security due to lower consumer welfare and the blocking of free trade. In 2014 the
share of agricultural exports in Turkey’s trade was 11.4%, while the share of
imports reached 5.1%. Kıymaz/Şanhingöz (2010: 17) suggest that if the overall
trade deficit is a structural problem in Turkey, it could jeopardize the medium- and
long-term food security of the country.
Due to Turkey’s geographical location, climate change will have a huge impact
on the country. According to TUİK, total cereal production decreased by 16%
during the 2007–2008 drought. Increased demand for food, consumer awareness,
drought, fluctuations in agricultural production, and an increase in prices have all
8 Addressing the Challenge of Food Security in Turkey
133
each product. With this model of production, the government aims to transform the
current agricultural system into a more planned and organized one. NAP can be
seen as a project of “food security” that will overcome structural problems in
Turkish agriculture; transform Turkish agriculture into a planned, conscious, and
adequate production process; regulate the market in order to stabilize the difference
between production and price; support the producers and their income; decrease
agricultural imports; and expand agricultural income.
Assessing the population in terms of food security, the ability of countries to
provide food to feed its population, is important. Availability is one of the four
main pillars of food security. Production, self-sufficiency, poverty and trade issues
are related to availability. In Turkey the agricultural population is gradually
declining. According to TUIK (2016), the number of employees in the agricultural
sector decreased by 30,000 people compared to the previous year (TUIK, 2016).
While the agricultural population is declining the total population is increasing. As
of the end of 2015, with nearly 3 million registered Syrian refugees in Turkey,
Turkey’s population has exceeded 80 million (Kirişçi, 2014: 27–28).
Another factor that plays a role in limiting future food supply in Turkey is the
contraction of agricultural areas. The population has increased continuously in
Turkey. Agricultural land is shrinking. Between 1988 and 2015 the agricultural area
in Turkey contracted by 7.5%, while cultivated areas have decreased by 16%.
Kıymaz/Şanhinöz (2010) argue that non-agricultural use of fertile land in Turkey,
erosion and pollution caused by industrialization, the use of improper irrigation
techniques, and the effects of climate change could increasingly limit the availability of agricultural land (Kıymaz/Şahinöz, 2010: 17). This limited arable land
means a decline in production and a shift away from sustainable food security. The
fact remains that Turkey’s agricultural sector has a lot of small farmers with limited
cultivable land. These farmers often work with older inherited agricultural
machinery, as they cannot afford new equipment. This is a challenge to the future
productivity of the agricultural sector in Turkey.
In addition to domestic production, foreign trade is also a significant driver for
ensuring food supply. According to Ören and his colleagues, since the 1990s
Turkey has increased its imports of food products, and today Turkey has lost its net
exporter position, which is seen as a serious threat (Ören et al., 2008). Tariff
applications in agricultural imports are among the negative factors in terms of food
security due to lower consumer welfare and the blocking of free trade. In 2014 the
share of agricultural exports in Turkey’s trade was 11.4%, while the share of
imports reached 5.1%. Kıymaz/Şanhingöz (2010: 17) suggest that if the overall
trade deficit is a structural problem in Turkey, it could jeopardize the medium- and
long-term food security of the country.
Due to Turkey’s geographical location, climate change will have a huge impact
on the country. According to TUİK, total cereal production decreased by 16%
during the 2007–2008 drought. Increased demand for food, consumer awareness,
drought, fluctuations in agricultural production, and an increase in prices have all
8 Addressing the Challenge of Food Security in Turkey
133