Massive $5.3 Billion Financing for Agricultural Transformation
· AA Yeşil Hat
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is channeling $5.3 billion into agricultural investments over a 10-year period, with the first $750 million tranche, approved by the World Bank, becoming available to producers this year.
In a press conference held in Edirne, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı announced strategic steps that will shape the future of the agricultural sector. Minister Yumaklı stated that the 'Turkey Agriculture, Food Sector Transformation Project for Employment and Rural Welfare,' announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has been formalized, and the financing package agreements have been signed and put into implementation. The Ministry aims to accelerate rural development, consolidate sustainability in agricultural production, and establish a new investment ecosystem.
Touching upon external contacts aimed at strengthening global food supply security, Minister Yumaklı highlighted the importance of agricultural diplomacy. Yumaklı reported intensive contacts with China, Germany, and Russia over the past three weeks, stating that these discussions have translated into concrete collaborations through signed bilateral agreements. Diplomatic steps, conducted according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry data, aim to increase the export capacity of Turkish producers in international markets and enhance the competitiveness of domestic products.
Sharing current data on Turkey's production performance, Minister Yumaklı announced that the provided support and investments are yielding record results. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry data, Turkey's agricultural output reached $83.2 billion in 2025, moving the country up from 12th to 7th place in global rankings. Minister Yumaklı noted that crop production in 2026 is expected to exceed 140 million tons, reaching the highest level in the Republic's history, with favorable climate conditions and infrastructure investments supporting this success.
Sharing details of the launched transformation program, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı stated that the process constitutes the second phase of agricultural planning and made the following assessment:
Minister Yumaklı reported that a total of 136 billion Turkish Liras in public funds have been allocated to the agriculture, forestry, and water sectors across Edirne in the last 24 years. According to Ministry records, 687 thousand decares of land have been brought under modern irrigation thanks to 235 irrigation facilities commissioned, contributing an additional 11.5 billion Turkish Liras to the economy. Approximately 6,000 projects have been supported under rural development and ORKÖY, 37 million saplings have been planted, and the province's agricultural output has reached 26 billion Turkish Liras.
Providing information on regional irrigation investments, Minister Yumaklı announced that the Çömlekköy Dam, with a cost of 1.3 billion Turkish Liras, will be completed in 2028. Addressing the investment timeline, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı shared the contract processes with the following words:
Yumaklı announced that a legislative amendment has been made to accelerate the establishment of facilities for producers in Thrace, stating that the zoning plan requirement for agricultural structures has been lifted with a change in the environmental quy plan. The floor area ratio for livestock facilities has been increased to 60 percent, while the ratio for other agricultural structures has been set between 10 and 30 percent. It was noted that the regulation will reduce construction costs and pave the way for investments.
A special regulation has been introduced in the energy sector for Edirne, which accounts for 40 percent of Turkey's rice production. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı stated that a new decision has been made to alleviate operational difficulties during the harvest season, saying:
Minister Yumaklı added that the protected plain area in the city will reach 1 million decares with new projects.
| Value | Period | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 83.2 billion $ | 2025 | Agricultural Gross Product |
| 7 rank | 2025 | Global Ranking of Agricultural Gross Product |
| 140 million tonnes | 2026 | Expected Yield of Plant Production |
| 5.3 billion $ | 10 years | Total Financing Package for Transformation Project |
| 750 million $ | 2026 | First Financing Installment Approved by World Bank |
| 136 billion TL | Last 24 years | Total Agricultural, Forestry and Water Investments in Edirne |
| 235 units | Last 24 years | Irrigation Facilities Put into Service in Edirne |
| 687 thousand decares | Last 24 years | Land Opened to Irrigation in Edirne |
| 11.5 billion TL | Last 24 years | Additional Income Increase from Irrigation |
| 6000 units | Last 24 years | Supported Rural Development and ORKÖY Project |
| 37 million units | Last 24 years | Number of Saplings Planted |
| 713 thousand decares | — | Protected Plain Area (7 Plains) |
| 340 thousand decares | — | Plain Area Under Protection (5 Plains) |
| 1 million decares | — | Edirne Total Protected Plain Area Target (12 Plains) |
| 39% | Last 24 years | Edirne Plant Production Quantity Increase |
| 113% | Last 24 years | Edirne Small Ruminant Livestock Increase |
| 26 billion TL | — | Edirne Agricultural Gross Product |
| 1.3 billion TL | Completion 2028 | Çömlekköy Dam Cost |
| 2.7 billion TL | — | Çömlekköy Dam Irrigation Cost |
| 2.7 billion TL | — | Land Consolidation and Rice Fields Project Cost |
| 7.8 billion TL | End of 2026 | Aşağı İpsala Hamzadere Dam Irrigation Cost |
| 192 thousand decares | End of 2026 | Area to be Opened to Irrigation with Hamzadere |
| 60% | — | Livestock Facilities Floor Area Ratio |
| 40% | — | Edirne Rice Production Share in Country |
| 4 months | Harvest season | Temporary Electricity Subscription Period for Rice Drying |