The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have unveiled “Digital Technologies for Agriculture in Türkiye”, a publication showcasing the transformative role of agricultural technology (AgTech) in enhancing productivity, sustainability, and resilience in Türkiye’s agrifood sector.
Key Findings and Insights
The report identifies promising AgTech solutions, such as smart irrigation, traceability systems, and e-commerce platforms, emphasizing their potential to revolutionize Türkiye’s agricultural practices. It also highlights barriers to adoption, including high costs and accessibility challenges for smaller farms, and outlines a roadmap for scaling technology uptake through investments and inclusive policies.
According to Mohamed Manssouri, FAO Investment Centre Director, “Digital technologies can transform agrifood systems, making them more resilient and sustainable.”
The study draws on insights from over 120 stakeholders, including farmers, tech providers, and agribusinesses, to present practical use cases, benefits, and challenges associated with AgTech adoption.
Türkiye’s Agricultural Landscape
- Agriculture contributes 5.5% of GDP and employs 17% of the workforce in Türkiye.
- Challenges such as economic volatility, resource constraints, an aging farming population, and climate change underline the need for innovative solutions.
- Larger, high-value farms are leading in digital adoption, utilizing tools like IoT-based soil monitoring and climate control systems. However, small and medium farms lag behind due to limited resources and accessibility.
Investments in AgTech: A Path Forward
The report emphasizes the need for increased investment in local AgTech startups, which often struggle to secure financing. Recommendations include:
- Blended finance and tailored support for startups, especially through programmes like Türkiye’s Tech-InvesTR.
- Focused initiatives to empower women-led agribusinesses and smallholder farms.
- Matching grants for eco-friendly technologies and field testing with farmer collaboration to ensure tools meet local needs.
Viorel Gutu, FAO Assistant Director-General, stressed the importance of financial incentives, training, and awareness programmes to accelerate adoption.
Data and Trust in Digital Agriculture
The report advocates for a shared data repository integrating public and private data with privacy safeguards. It highlights the need for:
- Unified data use to support precision farming and decision-making.
- Quality assurance protocols for digital tools and grievance channels for underperforming technologies.
- Knowledge-sharing platforms and farmer training programmes to enhance capacity.
Sustainable Growth through Collaboration
“Türkiye has the potential to lead in sustainable agriculture by fostering accessible and impactful AgTech solutions,” said Iride Ceccacci, EBRD Head of Corporate Sector Advisory.
The report urges coordinated public-private investment to bridge gaps, build trust, and create an inclusive ecosystem. By enabling both large and small-scale farmers to benefit from digital tools, Türkiye can strengthen its agrifood sector, ensuring food security, sustainability, and resilience.
This comprehensive publication serves as a blueprint for action, positioning Türkiye as a leader in the global transition toward digital and sustainable agriculture.