Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı evaluated the studies carried out regarding Türkiye's agricultural policies in his statements on CNN Türk live broadcast. Giving information on many topics, from the events held within the scope of COP31 to the financing agreement with the World Bank, from water investments to vertical farming, Yumaklı said that ensuring food supply security is among his priority goals.
46 EVENTS FROM THE MINISTRY AT COP31
Referring to the work carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry within the scope of COP31, Yumaklı announced that they organized 46 events in one day.
Drawing attention to the importance of cooperation with international organizations, Yumaklı stated that two important reports prepared together with IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development) were introduced within the scope of COP31.
Stating that the reports in question contain important information in terms of food supply security, Yumaklı said that it is aimed to convey the studies to the international public.
Stating that events were organized within the scope of the year declared by the United Nations for women cooperatives and women farmers, Yumaklı emphasized that the main message of COP31 is dialogue, consensus and action.
5.3 BILLION DOLLAR AGREEMENT IN AGRICULTURE
Stating that it is no longer enough to just organize meetings and make decisions in the agricultural sector, Yumaklı said that these decisions must be transformed into concrete investments and practices.
Pointing out that financing is one of the most important topics at this point, Minister Yumaklı announced that Türkiye signed an important agreement with the World Bank in order to increase the resilience of rural producers.
Yumaklı stated that a 5.3 billion dollar financing agreement was signed for the 10-year period and that the investments will start primarily from organized agricultural regions.
Stating that these investments aim to make production in rural areas higher added value, Yumaklı said that the process extending from the production stage of agricultural products to reaching the consumer's table will be strengthened.
WATER-CENTERED NEW ERA IN AGRICULTURE
Drawing attention to the effects of climate change on agricultural production, Yumaklı emphasized that water management should now be at the center of agricultural policies.
Stating that weather events that were considered normal in the past have changed, Yumaklı stated that during the same period, while there was a flood in one region, a serious drought could be observed in another region.
For this reason, Yumaklı said that water resources should be protected, irrigation systems should be developed and existing resources should be used more efficiently, and noted that Türkiye considers water as one of the basic elements in production planning.
Stating that the second year of production planning application is approaching the end, Yumaklı said that the experiences gained in this process are also shared on international platforms.
NEW PRIORITY IN IRRIGATION INVESTMENTS
Stating that the efficient use of water resources is vital for agricultural production, Yumaklı drew attention to the widespread use of pressurized and closed-circuit irrigation systems.
Explaining that approximately 5 trillion liras of investment has been made in the field of water and irrigation in the last 24 years, Yumaklı stated that these investments are being increasingly continued.
Minister Yumaklı stated that agricultural production cannot be sustainable in an environment where there is no water and that agricultural policies should be addressed with a holistic approach.
WILL VERTICAL FARMING AND NEW PRODUCTION MODELS BE ENCOURAGED?
One of the important topics that came up in the live broadcast was vertical farming and alternative production methods that enable more efficient use of water.
Stating that climate change will change agricultural production habits, Yumaklı said that different production models will become more on the agenda in the coming period.
Yumaklı emphasized that their basic approach in agriculture is to detect and manage risks in advance, rather than managing crises.
Stating that it is necessary to be prepared against drought, sudden rainfall and other negativities that climate change will bring, Minister Yumaklı stated that organized agricultural regions will play an important role in this regard.
Pointing out that it may not be possible to rely only on traditional field production in the future, Yumaklı said that it will be necessary to develop production models that use technology, use water more efficiently and are safe for human health.
SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS RESISTANT TO CLIMATE CHANGE WILL BE DEVELOPED
Stating that seed and seedling studies are of great importance as well as new production models in agriculture, Yumaklı stated that plant varieties that are resistant to the effects of climate change should be developed.
Yumaklı said that the seeds and seedlings planted in the ground should be more tolerant against climate risks that may be encountered in the future, and noted that the Ministry continues to work in this field.
He pointed out that technology, scientific studies and new production methods should be evaluated together to reduce the effects of drought and unexpected weather events on agricultural production.
THANKS TO FARMERS FROM YUMAKLI
Emphasizing that only the rules determined by the state will not be sufficient for the production planning in agriculture to be successful, Yumaklı emphasized the importance of producers embracing this process.
Minister Yumaklı stated that it was possible for the production planning to be responded to in the field with the contribution of the farmers and thanked the producers throughout Türkiye for their compliance with the process.
Yumaklı added that the public, producers and international organizations should act in cooperation in order to protect food supply security, use water resources effectively and be prepared against the risks posed by climate change.
