Turkish seed sector: Current situation and future directions
Yalcin Kaya • Necmi Beser
Trakya University, Engineering Faculty, Genetic and Bioengineering Department, Edirne, Turkey
Резюме
Seeds are the main factor in agricultural production both affecting yield and also productivity
and profitability. Turkey exists in top ten agricultural economies in the world. Turkish
seed sector has got so much progress in last ten years and seed companies and also certified
seed production have been increased triple since 2007. In addition to recent improvements
and development in agriculture, the foundation of Turkey Seed Union (TÜRKTOB) based
on Seed Law No.5553 prepared by Ministry of Agriculture played very important and key
role for this progress. Turkey Seed Union is a professional, legal and public organization to
design and regulate seed sector with the authority granted by this law in Turkey. TURKTOB
consists of seven sub unions: Plant Breeders (BISAB), Sapling Manufacturers (FUAB),
Seedling Growing (FIDEBIRLIK), Ornamental Plants Producers (SUSBIR), Seed Distributors
(TODAB), Seed Industrialists and Producers (TSUAB) and Seed Growers (TYAB),
which serve as an umbrella and have the legal power to ensure cooperation and solidarity
among themselves, to provide professional solidarity among those operating in the industry
with the development of the seed sector and to fulfill the tasks assigned by the legislation.
After forming this organization, many new local seed producer companies were set up and
reached 858 in July of 2018 in Turkey, while many big international seed companies have
been merging in the recent years worldwide. In 2017, Turkish certified seed production
reached over one million tons (it was 300.000 ton in 2007). Furthermore, local seed companies
conducting breeding programs reached over 100 tons too, mostly working on field
crops, especially cereals. Turkey has very suitable climate and large lands to produce higher
quality and healthy seeds, so many international seed companies prefer producing basic
and certified seeds in Turkey, then export them to other countries, especially hybrid seeds,
both of field and vegetable crops. Because of both the geographical location advantages and
the young generations in Turkey, Turkish seed sector is very dynamic and has big potential
to increase rapidly and steadily with big supports and subsidies by the government. The main future goal of the Turkish Seed sector is existing in top five countries and has more
rates in world seed trade in the next 5 years.
