Minister Yumaklı Announces Roadmap for a New Era in Agriculture and Food

November 6, 2026 · Ekotürk

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı stated that inspections against imitation and adulteration in the food market will continue uncompromisingly, sharing critical points from production planning to livestock strategy.

Uncompromising Inspection Era in Food Safety

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı announced in an evaluation meeting with members of the press in Istanbul that imitation and adulteration in the food sector will absolutely not be tolerated. Pointing to the obligation for final products presented to the consumer to fully match the technical information on the label, Yumaklı stated that penalties against food businesses violating legal regulations are being resolutely applied. The Minister noted that food products determined to be produced outside of standards are immediately recalled from the market, and that disclosure lists will be transparently shared with the public, regardless of the firm's market scale or brand value.

Pesticide Use Compared to the European Union

Minister Yumaklı, explaining that technical contacts are ongoing with European Union authorities within the framework of global food safety norms, reported that Turkish-origin Rapid Alert System (RASFF) notifications have decreased by 74% in the last three years. According to the Ministry's official records, while an average of 3.2 kilograms of pesticides are used per hectare in European Union member countries, this consumption in Turkey was realized at 2.3 kilograms per hectare nationwide. Yumaklı stated that biological and biotechnological control applications are being widespread in the field to minimize the risk of chemical residues, and announced that farmers are being systematically directed towards sustainable and environmentally friendly production practices.

Production Planning Extends to All Products

The scope of the agricultural production planning, implemented in 2023 to structurally guarantee food supply security, is gradually expanding. Minister Yumaklı recalled that in the initial phase of the implementation process, priority was given to strategic product groups and that the establishment of new fruit orchards on first-class agricultural land with a slope of less than 6% was restricted. Yumaklı announced that the system will be expanded to cover the entire agricultural pattern in the coming period, and stated that they are establishing an international standard planning infrastructure aimed at protecting producers from oversupply and sharp price fluctuations resulting from unplanned planting.

Rainfall Record in Turkey Over 66 Years

İbrahim Yumaklı shared the water year data, covering the period from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026, with the public, reporting that the highest rainfall volume in the last 66 years has been reached. In the mentioned water year, an average of 741.6 millimeters of rain fell per square meter nationwide, exceeding the long-term average of 573.4 millimeters by approximately 30%. The Ministry reported a 76% increase per square meter compared to the previous water year statistics and stated that an early warning system calculating river flows 72 hours in advance is in operation to detect flood risks.

Herd Quality and Foot-and-Mouth Disease Fight in Livestock

Yumaklı noted that the structural steps taken within the scope of the Livestock Roadmap are beginning to yield concrete results, stating that livestock policies aim not only to increase animal numbers but also to improve breeding herd quality and genetic improvement. He emphasized that the continuous fight against contagious animal diseases is a central axis, and reported that the aggressive foot-and-mouth disease wave in 2025 was brought under control in a short period of about four months thanks to the implemented regional quarantine and intensive vaccination schedule, a process that was appreciated by international health organizations.

Four Times the Support for Disease-Free Farms

To increase the healthy breeding population, the Ministry has tightened inspection mechanisms for disease-free livestock farms across the country. Yumaklı stated that facilities fully meeting the determined hygiene and biosecurity parameters are registered, and that farms gaining disease-free status receive four times higher livestock support compared to standard livestock operations. The Minister stated that the certifications of businesses losing their health conditions during periodic checks are immediately canceled, emphasizing that there will be no deviation from the regulations and that the market share of businesses with high hygiene standards will expand.

TMO Price Policy Maintained in Hazelnut Purchases

Yumaklı stated that they are closely monitoring the dynamics of the hazelnut market, which forms the backbone of the Black Sea Region's economy, and that the Turkish Grain Board (TMO) is continuing its intervention purchases at the announced floor price range as planned. Drawing attention to the low price levels observed in various points of the free market, attributing them to regional deviations in yield and product quality, Yumaklı reported that the institution purchases the produce of every producer meeting the declared quality criteria in the regulations, and that TMO is fulfilling its market regulation duty to protect producer incomes.

Black Sea Security Risks Hamper Fruit Exports

Addressing the impact of regional conflicts on foreign trade routes, Minister Yumaklı noted that tensions in maritime transportation in the Black Sea basin create logistical obstacles, particularly for fresh fruit and vegetable exporters. Yumaklı stated that agricultural yields are strong in the current harvest season across the country and reported that they are working in coordination with the Ministry of Trade to ensure the healthy transfer of domestic production abundance to export markets. He announced that diplomatic contacts are ongoing with neighboring countries to overcome sea freight costs and route disruptions.

Technology-Oriented Forest Fire Management and UAVs

Minister Yumaklı stated that advanced technological equipment is being prioritized in the protection of forest assets, and that fire probabilities are modeled a week in advance with an AI-based Decision Support System. Yumaklı mentioned that unmanned aerial vehicles for firefighting are being developed in coordination with defense industry stakeholders, and announced that 3% of forest fires are caused by intentional acts, with firefighting costs being recovered from those responsible. Yumaklı also expressed his gratitude to Baykar management for providing surveillance support with Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles.

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