Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Mehdi Eker has stated that the problems facing the Turkish agriculture sector in the process of harmonization with the EU cannot be treated independently from the socioeconomic and socio-cultural

“The Turkish agriculture sector will be more competitive when the target of full membership is attained; it will take its place within the EU,” he said. Calling on private entrepreneurs to invest in the agriculture sector with the slogan “The Time for Agriculture is Now,” the agriculture minister indicated that investors who create opportunities from the sector’s transformation process will set good examples for farmers.

The ministry that administers the transformation of the agricultural sector is also going under structural changes, he said, adding that they are planning to change the name of the ministry to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Speaking to Today’s Zaman about the Turkish agricultural sector as regards the EU process, Eker discusses where the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) fits into the picture and the potential for Turkey to become the center of organic agricultural production for the EU.

What do you do in order to promote the country’s agricultural sector in the rapidly changing conditions of our country?

We say “The Time for Agriculture is Now.” This is our main motto, and it is written on our work files in the ministry. Everything returns to its origins. Agriculture was the first occupation of mankind on earth and it will be the last.

Is this why it is said the most problematic chapter will be agriculture?

Of course, this process is not isolated from the problems of the country. The difficulty of the process comes from the fact that we are tying to harmonize with EU agriculture, which is called a “moving target” because it continually changes. However, we should not forget that no country can be completely ready at the time of accession. Actually, a member country can only fully integrate with EU agriculture after a transition period of around 10 years.

How long will the harmonization process take?

As the accession negotiations are expected to take longer and are “open-ended,” we cannot make clear estimates. We, as the government, are doing our part and conducting legislation harmonization work as well as reorganization of the ministry. A new bill will restructure the ministry to make it more compliant with the EU type of organization. We expect the EU to do its part in this process and lend support to our projects.

Will the Turkish agricultural sector be able to fully complete the preparations required to be competitive vis-à-vis EU agriculture?

Given the length and difficulty of the process, this is the main point that must be highlighted. A structural change is in the making for Turkish agriculture. In this context, compared to the EU agriculture sector, we must solve fundamental problems such as low yield, high costs and fragmented enterprises. We must ensure effective use of resources while not forgetting about economic, social, environmental and international developments. The top priority of our ministry is to create an organized, competitive and sustainable agriculture sector.

However, these targets or priorities would mean nothing if not supported by Turkish farmers, who need to start to think on a project basis. This is what the EU accession process requires. Without doing this, you cannot compete with the EU. Given the fact the EU will principally support projects, our farmers and investors in agriculture should learn to develop and implement projects.

Isn’t this the hardest part as it will take a longer period for farmers utilizing traditional methods with modest expectations to become project developing entrepreneurs?

Of course this is not easy. In this context, farmers’ unions, chambers of agriculture, cooperatives and other nongovernmental organizations in the agriculture sector and professional associations and media organizations that are aware of the process like you have important responsibilities. Everyone is needed in raising awareness and ensuring much more contemporary organization. In this context, everyone has important duties. Availing myself of this opportunity, I would like to give a message to the sector representatives. They should invest in agriculture. You will soon see that the agricultural enterprises that are compliant with EU standards will have a customer portfolio that comprises the entire union. Indeed, we observe that some Turkish enterprises are investing in the agriculture sector along these lines. Yet, we need to increase their number. Big agricultural corporations, foodstuff producers and other related companies in the EU see Turkey as an important area. For instance, taking into consideration that Turkey is one of the few European countries that has land which is not contaminated with chemicals, one can argue that it will be the organic agriculture base of the EU. With this point in mind, Turkish investors should seriously consider focusing their projects in the agriculture sector. Otherwise, efforts by the ministry or farmers’ organizations will not be sufficient.

Does the process present opportunities for those who can overcome the difficulties involved?

Yes, certainly. Difficulties are always accompanied by opportunities, aren’t they? Radical transformations will produce important opportunities. The private sector companies that will invest in this field can obtain considerable benefits from this difficult process. It is my conviction that if Turkish entrepreneurs take the lead and set the example, Turkish farmers will unite or merge under cooperatives or other forms of organization. Indeed, this is what was experienced in the EU. European farmers had to adapt to changes. The Turkish agriculture sector, too, will become competitive and with full membership, it will take its place within the EU.

Are the current practices in the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) compatible with EU legislation?

As you know, the primary objective of GAP is to raise the income levels and living standards of people living in the southeastern region, to eliminate the gap between this region and other regions of the country in terms of development and to increase the efficiency and employment opportunities in rural areas, thereby contributing to national development targets such as social stability and economic growth. It is a multi-sector, integrated and sustainable regional development project.

In this context, GAP should not be assessed within the scope of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), but as a regional development policy. Indeed, the regional development policy, too, aims to eliminate differences among regions, and, within this framework, to raise the economic welfare level of less developed regions and diversify the activities in rural areas. Therefore, while not designed specifically for harmonization with the EU, GAP was developed taking country specific needs and problems into consideration and has goals that overlap with those within EU policies.

The rural population is decreasing while the urban population is growing, and food problems are having an increasing impact. Shouldn’t the name of your ministry, which seems to belong to the 1950s, be changed in this process?

The fact that food issues have come to be more prominent has two aspects: the recent problems in food supply around the world and the development in consumer demands for safe and healthy food. Until now, our ministry, although its name highlights agriculture and rural affairs, has made its priority to develop and implement policies that address both of these aspects. Our units in charge of various aspects of the food issue, in particular the General Directorate of Agricultural Production and Development and the General Directorate of Protection and Control, have been conducting this work.

However, we are planning to reorganize in order to provide much more effective services, to create a flexible organization that can address contemporary problems and to conduct our work in a more systematic manner. The bill on the reorganization of the ministry intends to ensure easier harmonization with the EU. The name of the ministry will be changed to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

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