Turkey’s Food, Agriculture and Livestock Ministry plans to invest US$4.2 billion through 4,700 facilities in 2015 to increase the country’s agricultural production and bring its agricultural export values from US$18.7 billion today to US$40 billion by 2023.
The country has been initiating a rural development program since 2006. Since that time, 13,308 agro-industrial plants have been established under a total investment of $7.5 billion, of which $3.5 billion was in grants. Turkey’s agricultural revenues have reached $61 billion per year – making it a leader in the EU, outpacing France, Italy, and Spain, however, the country plans to double this revenue to $150 billion per year by 2023.
Turkey aims to take its agricultural-industrial sector to the next stage – creating jobs in rural areas, consolidating its agricultural infrastructure, increasing the added value of the agricultural products its produces, and supporting those involved in the packaging, storage, and operating sides of the industry.
Under the ministry’s investment plan, buffalo raising operations, goose farms, and renewable energy projects will all be able to receive grants, just as dairy and meat facilities received in October 2014. Food, Agriculture and Livestock minister, Mehdi Eker reinforces that under these initiatives, Turkey’s agriculture sector will be able to strengthen and increase its contribution to the country’s overall development.
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