Table of Contents
The Turkish Ministry of Agriculture (officially the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) is the government body responsible for developing agriculture in Turkey, managing livestock, and safeguarding vital water resources. Under the current leadership of Minister İbrahim Yumaklı, the ministry plays a pivotal role in ensuring food security for the nation.
Beyond farming, the Ministry is also tasked with protecting Turkey’s vast forests, which cover nearly 30% of the country, and managing the sustainable use of natural resources found within them.
About the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry constitutes the backbone of Turkey’s food production strategy. It manages agricultural resources, encourages investment, and implements policies to modernize farming in a land that has been an agricultural cradle since the Neolithic era.
Established in 1924, shortly after the birth of the Turkish Republic, the Ministry has evolved for over a century to serve the country’s rural and urban needs. Its longevity reflects the deep historical importance of agriculture in Anatolia.
One of its critical roles is the development and exploitation of forest resources. This includes rigorous preservation efforts and protection against wildfires and illegal logging, ensuring these green assets survive for future generations.
The Ministry Logo: The logo is rich in symbolism, featuring 16 stars that represent the 16 Great Turkic Empires throughout history. Three lines symbolize water, air, and soil, the fundamental elements of life and agriculture, while the red color represents the fertile cultivated soil of the motherland.
2025 Budget Update: Reflecting the sector’s growing importance and economic shifts, the Ministry’s budget has seen a significant increase. For the 2025 fiscal year, the total budget is set at approximately 438.1 billion TL (roughly $10.2 billion USD at late 2025 exchange rates). Within this, a substantial 135 billion TL has been specifically allocated for agricultural support payments to directly assist farmers.
At the provincial level, the Ministry is represented by Agricultural Chambers (Ziraat Odası) and the Provincial Directorates of Agriculture and Forestry (Tarım ve Orman Müdürlüğü), ensuring policies reach every corner of the country.
Duties of the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture
The Ministry’s responsibilities are vast, covering everything from soil health to satellite-monitored crop planning. Key duties include:
- Research & Development: Conducting research to boost plant and animal production, improve fish farming, and develop modern agricultural policies.
- Food Safety & Resource Management: Ensuring the efficient use and safety of food production, promoting rural development, and protecting soil, water resources, and biodiversity. This includes monitoring sectors like Turkish milk production to maintain high hygiene standards.
- Planned Production Model (New for 2025): A major shift has been the introduction of the “Planned Production” (Planlı Üretim) model for 2025-2027. This policy ties support payments to strategic planning, organizing farmers to grow crops best suited to their region’s water availability and soil conditions.
- Forestry: Working to protect, restore, and manage forests, while combatting desertification and erosion through afforestation projects.
- Nature Conservation: Establishing policies to protect nature, managing national parks, wetlands, and wildlife reserves to preserve Turkey’s unique biodiversity.
- Water Management: Developing policies for the sustainable use of water resources and coordinating national water management, a critical task given the changing climate.
- International Cooperation: coordinating national preparations to pursue and contribute to international studies and agreements in agricultural fields.
- Legal Duties: Carrying out other duties assigned by laws or presidential decrees.
Agencies of the Ministry of Agriculture
To effectively manage such a diverse portfolio, the Ministry operates through various specialized agencies and directorates:
Central Units
- General Directorate of Food and Control
- General Directorate of Plant Production
- General Directorate of Livestock
- General Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture
- General Directorate of Agricultural Reform
- General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM)
- General Directorate to Combat Desertification and Erosion
- General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks
- General Directorate of Water Management
- General Directorate of European Union and Foreign Relations
- General Directorate of Personnel
- General Directorate of Legal Services
- Department of Guidance and Inspection
- Strategy Development Presidency
- Department of Tobacco and Alcohol
- Department of Sugar
- Support Services Department
- Department of Education and Publication
- Department of Information Technology
- Press and Public Relations Consultancy
- Private Secretariat
Provincial Organizations
- Provincial Directorates of Agriculture and Forestry
- Research Institutes
- Veterinary Control Institutes
- Food Control Laboratories
- Veterinary Border Control Points
- Seed Certification Testing Directorates
- Agricultural Quarantine Directorates
- National Food Reference Laboratory
Affiliated Institutions & Companies
- Atatürk Forest Farm Directorate (AOÇ)
- Turkish Water Institute (SUEN)
- General Directorate of Tea Enterprises (ÇAYKUR)
- Meat and Milk Board (ESK)
- General Directorate of Agricultural Enterprises (TİGEM)
- Agriculture and Rural Development Support Institution (TKDK)
- General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSİ)
- Turkish Grain Board (TMO)
- General Directorate of Forestry (OGM)
Services Provided by the Ministry
The Ministry provides crucial services to support Turkey’s agricultural backbone. With the domestic producer price index fluctuating, these interventions are vital for stability.
- Market Regulation & Price Support (2025): The Ministry sets purchase prices for strategic crops to protect farmers from market volatility. For the 2025 season, examples include:
- Wheat: 13,500 TL/ton (plus support payments).
- Fresh Tea: 25.44 TL/kg (a significant increase from the previous year).
- Hazelnuts: Approximately 200 TL/kg for high-quality Giresun hazelnuts.
- Permits & Licensing: Issuing permits for hunting, aquaculture, and agricultural activities.
- Financial Support: Distributing government subsidies to farmers, now heavily tied to the “Planned Production” model to encourage strategic planting.
- Quality Control: Ensuring that seedlings, seeds, and produce meet standard specifications. This extends to specialized sectors, ensuring the quality of raw materials for industries like Turkish cheese production.
- Strategic Stockpiling: Managing national reserves of seeds and grains to ensure food security during crises.
- Water Resources: Issuing permits for the exploitation of water resources and managing irrigation infrastructure through the DSİ.
Contact the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture
For inquiries, applications, or official business, you can contact the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry directly.
T. C. TARIM VE ORMAN BAKANLIĞI
Address: Üniversiteler Mah. Dumlupınar Bulvarı, No: 161, 06800, Çankaya / ANKARA
Phone: 0312 287 33 60
For more detailed information, access the official English website of the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture by clicking here.
