The average age of Turkish farmers is creeping up, with the current average being over 58, as younger generations flock to cities, leaving rural areas behind. This demographic shift is not just a social issue but an economic one, as agriculture’s contribution to Turkey’s GDP has been steadily declining. The sector, which once accounted for 9.5% of GDP 20 years ago, now stands at 6%, according to Turkstat. The situation is exacerbated by climate change, which is altering rainfall patterns and making farming more challenging.
Enter the İzmir Agricultural Technology Centre (İTTM), a beacon of hope in Turkey’s western Aegean region. This incubator, backed by the İzmir Commodity Exchange (İTB), is nurturing tech startups to tackle the multifaceted challenges faced by Turkish farmers. The Centre’s vision is ambitious: improved water usage, streamlined logistics, and even robots harvesting crops. Although İTTM is yet to officially launch, its projects are already showing promise. A robotics company has developed an AI-operated farm vehicle designed to replace humans in tasks like strawberry picking. AI is also being used to monitor water usage in irrigation areas and identify leaks in supply lines, crucial as warmer winters affect rainfall and snowfall. Additionally, applications are being developed to monitor produce during transport, aiming to reduce losses along the logistics chain.
The implications of these developments are significant. Işınsu Kestelli, head of the İTB, emphasizes the importance of digital transformation in reviving the agricultural sector and boosting food production and security. “We attach great importance to this project because the digital transformation of Turkish agriculture is one of the most important areas of structural reform for our country,” Kestelli stated ahead of the Centre’s formal launch.
However, not everyone believes that technology alone will solve the sector’s problems. Bülent Oray, chair of the İzmir Torbalı branch of the Turkish Chambers Association of Agriculture, acknowledges the ground-breaking nature of some new solutions but argues that financial constraints are a more pressing issue. “Old age or traditional farming practices are not an obstacle to new technologies; it is the fact that farmers don’t make money,” Oray said. “They would adopt anything that would cut their costs but for them these technologies are not affordable. Unless the state supports the cost of new technology in the fields I don’t see it happening.”
The debate highlights a critical juncture for Turkish agriculture. While technological advancements offer innovative solutions, the financial burden on farmers remains a significant barrier. As the sector grapples with these challenges, the role of state support and investment in agricultural technology becomes increasingly vital.
